1.Albino: Stop it... You hear me... We are leaving... We are leaving...
2.Changeling: What are you saying? I'm not trying to make you leave...
2.Changeling: If I have a chance, I'll rat you out to the Bachelor!
2.Changeling: I just wanted to tell you about the Changeling...
3.Albino: We've already sheltered the harbinger... Her persecutors won't have her... Do not get in our way... we are leaving...
4.Changeling: So I am late!
4.Changeling: I'll find you tomorrow... that is to say, today.
1.Albino: We have been waiting for you... harbinger... We believe you... As do many others... I'll gather the rest...
2.Changeling: Yes. I am the harbinger.
3.Albino: ...Where shall I take you?
4.Changeling: Take me to any shelter.
5.Albino: Well, now... Let us go... Show us your miracle, give us your blessing so that our set-up is never discovered and we are not attacked on the way... Bless our feet, harbinger...
6.Changeling: Here it is. Go ahead and run away when you know I was in the right.
6.Changeling: It's beyond my power... One cannot work miracles just to prove they are in the right. The punishment will be awful.
4.Changeling: Go away from here! Or you will be punished tomorrow. The plague is after me...
5.Albino: We are not afraid.
6.Changeling: Go away from here! Or else I-the real me-will lay a curse on you.
7.Albino: Well, now... Let us go... Show us your miracle, give us your blessing so that our set-up is never discovered and we are not attacked on the way... Bless our feet, harbinger...
8.Changeling: Here it is. Go ahead and run away when you know I was in the right.
8.Changeling: It's beyond my power... One cannot work miracles just to prove they are in the right. The punishment will be awful.
6.Changeling: By the power granted to me from above I tell you this: go. You don't need the harbinger.
7.Albino: Show us your miracle... Then we'll believe you... and tell the others about who you really are... And they will believe in you too...
8.Changeling: Here it is. Go ahead and run away when you know I was in the right.
8.Changeling: No... I'm afraid to. It will drain too much of my power. I think I may even die.
2.Changeling: You have been waiting for the Changeling! She is not the one whom you want to serve! Go away from here and never give her shelter!
3.Albino: ...How do you know who we want to serve...? How are you now a Changeling...?
4.Changeling: I am the true Clara.
5.Albino: Show us your miracle... Then we'll believe you... and tell the others about who you really are... And they will believe in you too...
6.Changeling: Here it is. Go ahead and run away when you know I was in the right.
6.Changeling: No... I'm afraid to. It will drain too much of my power. I think I may even die.
4.Changeling: An evil demon is hunting my sister-he's sending the pest after her! If you offer her shelter, the disease will be here tomorrow.
5.Albino: We are not afraid.
6.Changeling: Go away from here! Or else I-the real me-will lay a curse on you.
7.Albino: Well, now... Let us go... Show us your miracle, give us your blessing so that our set-up is never discovered and we are not attacked on the way... Bless our feet, harbinger...
8.Changeling: Here it is. Go ahead and run away when you know I was in the right.
8.Changeling: It's beyond my power... One cannot work miracles just to prove they are in the right. The punishment will be awful.
6.Changeling: By the power granted to me from above I tell you this: go. You don't need the harbinger.
7.Albino: Show us your miracle... Then we'll believe you... and tell the others about who you really are... And they will believe in you too...
8.Changeling: Here it is. Go ahead and run away when you know I was in the right.
8.Changeling: No... I'm afraid to. It will drain too much of my power. I think I may even die.
2.Changeling: What are you...? I keep trying to remember... You are like that for a reason!
3.Albino: ...Where shall I take you?
4.Changeling: Take me to any shelter.
5.Albino: Well, now... Let us go... Show us your miracle, give us your blessing so that our set-up is never discovered and we are not attacked on the way... Bless our feet, harbinger...
6.Changeling: Here it is. Go ahead and run away when you know I was in the right.
6.Changeling: It's beyond my power... One cannot work miracles just to prove they are in the right. The punishment will be awful.
4.Changeling: Go away from here! Or you will be punished tomorrow. The plague is after me...
5.Albino: We are not afraid.
6.Changeling: Go away from here! Or else I-the real me-will lay a curse on you.
7.Albino: Well, now... Let us go... Show us your miracle, give us your blessing so that our set-up is never discovered and we are not attacked on the way... Bless our feet, harbinger...
8.Changeling: Here it is. Go ahead and run away when you know I was in the right.
8.Changeling: It's beyond my power... One cannot work miracles just to prove they are in the right. The punishment will be awful.
6.Changeling: By the power granted to me from above I tell you this: go. You don't need the harbinger.
7.Albino: Show us your miracle... Then we'll believe you... and tell the others about who you really are... And they will believe in you too...
8.Changeling: Here it is. Go ahead and run away when you know I was in the right.
8.Changeling: No... I'm afraid to. It will drain too much of my power. I think I may even die.
1.Albino: You are the Changeling... We knew someone would come to tempt us...
2.Changeling: This is the punishment for my impertinence-I dared use my gift for personal gain!
2.Changeling: I want to try again...
1.Albino: Now I see that it really is you... So what you're saying is somebody will appear under your guise and bring us plague?
2.Changeling: Yes. You have to go.
3.Albino: We'll wait for her and make her leave this neighbourhood... Tomorrow this district will be clean...
4.Changeling: Let it be so...
4.Changeling: Be firm. Drive her away even if she cures someone on front of you!
2.Changeling: Drive her away!
1.Executor: Oi! You're one swift appearer! A child, a sweet child... Such thin, see-through palms you've got-magnificent little hands, so extraordinary... And already blackened and reddened all over. How very evocative.
2.Changeling: What do you want from me?
3.Executor: Before you enter the town and embark on your-uh-cleansing agenda, I'd like to give you a few pieces of advice. You are, after all, a mere hatchling; I rather doubt you arrived at this cemetery with your m. o. already laid out, if you pardon the pun.
4.Changeling: Please do tell me.
5.Executor: Time won't wait for you. Hour after hour, day after day, it will run out fast. You're not the centre of the universe-not even now that you have this truly exceptional part to play. At some point, you may even feel that you could easily be everywhere at once... But make no mistake, the town is changing with time, and there's nothing you can do about it.
6.Changeling: We'll see about that!
6.Changeling: Why do you need to rub it in?
7.Executor: Time has the final say in matters of life and death. It may so happen that you will knock on the door of a person you need when that person is already past being able to answer you. The news changes too... What was on a person's mind a day ago will have petered out come tomorrow. And it may have been something you'd have found useful.
8.Changeling: Pray, why speak of such terrible things? It's not like I have a say in matters of anyone's life and death, time or no time.
9.Executor: Ha ha ha ha ha! Haven't had a laugh like this in quite a while. If you don't have a say, who does? Who but you, my blessed child, is holding in her hands the lives and deaths of others? But be careful with your terrible gift. Every death will count against you. No amount of trickery is too much, no price is too high for maintaining a viable reputation.
10.Changeling: Reputation?
11.Executor: Yes, you will have a reputation too, my dear child... and I don't think you'll find that sullen horse easy to tame. It will be full of surprises. Your reputation will be falling, always, relentlessly. And it's decisive in, you know, everything: how many friends you've got; how many enemies. Trust opens the right doors and the right lips.
12.Changeling: How do I keep track of my reputation?
13.Executor: People will always appreciate your help. And I can assure you a lot of people are going to need help these days. Relieving sufferers from their misery is appreciated a great deal. Sometimes a person is in such pain that even euthanasia will be a blessing-especially for the incurable.
14.Changeling: Do I have a good reputation right now?
15.Executor: Right now? Search me. But that's easy to find out. In fact it's generally a good idea not to neglect checking up on your status. Has my kind-hearted colleague spoken to you about it yet?
16.Changeling: He has.
16.Changeling: He hasn't.
17.Executor: Most importantly, don't forget to stop by the caretaker's lodge. You've got people awaiting you there, and they have no doubts about your identity. As it happens, they've just drawn proof of your arrival from a pile of oracle bones... Your turning up in person will duly impress them. Tarry not.
18.Changeling: Careful! Don't scratch me with that beak of yours.
19.Executor: It is no beak, my dear child. It is a talon! For what I really am is a finger-of a hand!
20.Changeling: You should be that much more careful if it's a talon.
18.Changeling: I'll remember to do that, kindly teacher. Thank you...
19.Executor: Me? I'm not much of a teacher... More like your faithful servant. I'm here because of you, you know. It's you who are the kindly teacher.
20.Changeling: As you wish.
14.Changeling: I know all that! There's no need to teach me the basics.
15.Executor: Most importantly, don't forget to stop by the caretaker's lodge. You've got people awaiting you there, and they have no doubts about your identity. As it happens, they've just drawn proof of your arrival from a pile of oracle bones... Your turning up in person will duly impress them. Tarry not.
16.Changeling: Careful! Don't scratch me with that beak of yours.
17.Executor: It is no beak, my dear child. It is a talon! For what I really am is a finger-of a hand!
18.Changeling: You should be that much more careful if it's a talon.
16.Changeling: I'll remember to do that, kindly teacher. Thank you...
17.Executor: Me? I'm not much of a teacher... More like your faithful servant. I'm here because of you, you know. It's you who are the kindly teacher.
18.Changeling: As you wish.
12.Changeling: Why will it always be falling? I'm a good person...
13.Executor: But people are convinced to the contrary. You will exist in several guises here. The guise that will live in the collective mind-and, one may speculate, the collective memory-is a most terrifying one. Every day, people will witness signs of your otherworldly nature. They will be frightened.
14.Changeling: No! I will be remembered for my mercy! And always spoken of in praise! You'll see!
14.Changeling: Doesn't matter... It won't help them any.
15.Executor: People will always appreciate your help. And I can assure you a lot of people are going to need help these days. Relieving sufferers from their misery is appreciated a great deal. Sometimes a person is in such pain that even euthanasia will be a blessing-especially for the incurable.
16.Changeling: Do I have a good reputation right now?
17.Executor: Right now? Search me. But that's easy to find out. In fact it's generally a good idea not to neglect checking up on your status. Has my kind-hearted colleague spoken to you about it yet?
18.Changeling: He has.
18.Changeling: He hasn't.
19.Executor: Most importantly, don't forget to stop by the caretaker's lodge. You've got people awaiting you there, and they have no doubts about your identity. As it happens, they've just drawn proof of your arrival from a pile of oracle bones... Your turning up in person will duly impress them. Tarry not.
20.Changeling: Careful! Don't scratch me with that beak of yours.
21.Executor: It is no beak, my dear child. It is a talon! For what I really am is a finger-of a hand!
22.Changeling: You should be that much more careful if it's a talon.
20.Changeling: I'll remember to do that, kindly teacher. Thank you...
21.Executor: Me? I'm not much of a teacher... More like your faithful servant. I'm here because of you, you know. It's you who are the kindly teacher.
22.Changeling: As you wish.
16.Changeling: I know all that! There's no need to teach me the basics.
17.Executor: Most importantly, don't forget to stop by the caretaker's lodge. You've got people awaiting you there, and they have no doubts about your identity. As it happens, they've just drawn proof of your arrival from a pile of oracle bones... Your turning up in person will duly impress them. Tarry not.
18.Changeling: Careful! Don't scratch me with that beak of yours.
19.Executor: It is no beak, my dear child. It is a talon! For what I really am is a finger-of a hand!
20.Changeling: You should be that much more careful if it's a talon.
18.Changeling: I'll remember to do that, kindly teacher. Thank you...
19.Executor: Me? I'm not much of a teacher... More like your faithful servant. I'm here because of you, you know. It's you who are the kindly teacher.
20.Changeling: As you wish.
4.Changeling: I'll figure it out, beakhead! Go away and don't bother me anymore.
2.Changeling: Who are you?
3.Executor: And who are you? That's a much more interesting question as far as everyone's concerned. Yourself included, I should think...
4.Changeling: You can call me Clara.
5.Executor: Before you enter the town and embark on your-uh-cleansing agenda, I'd like to give you a few pieces of advice. You are, after all, a mere hatchling; I rather doubt you arrived at this cemetery with your m. o. already laid out, if you pardon the pun.
6.Changeling: Please do tell me.
7.Executor: Time won't wait for you. Hour after hour, day after day, it will run out fast. You're not the centre of the universe-not even now that you have this truly exceptional part to play. At some point, you may even feel that you could easily be everywhere at once... But make no mistake, the town is changing with time, and there's nothing you can do about it.
8.Changeling: We'll see about that!
8.Changeling: Why do you need to rub it in?
9.Executor: Time has the final say in matters of life and death. It may so happen that you will knock on the door of a person you need when that person is already past being able to answer you. The news changes too... What was on a person's mind a day ago will have petered out come tomorrow. And it may have been something you'd have found useful.
10.Changeling: Pray, why speak of such terrible things? It's not like I have a say in matters of anyone's life and death, time or no time.
11.Executor: Ha ha ha ha ha! Haven't had a laugh like this in quite a while. If you don't have a say, who does? Who but you, my blessed child, is holding in her hands the lives and deaths of others? But be careful with your terrible gift. Every death will count against you. No amount of trickery is too much, no price is too high for maintaining a viable reputation.
12.Changeling: Reputation?
13.Executor: Yes, you will have a reputation too, my dear child... and I don't think you'll find that sullen horse easy to tame. It will be full of surprises. Your reputation will be falling, always, relentlessly. And it's decisive in, you know, everything: how many friends you've got; how many enemies. Trust opens the right doors and the right lips.
14.Changeling: How do I keep track of my reputation?
15.Executor: People will always appreciate your help. And I can assure you a lot of people are going to need help these days. Relieving sufferers from their misery is appreciated a great deal. Sometimes a person is in such pain that even euthanasia will be a blessing-especially for the incurable.
16.Changeling: Do I have a good reputation right now?
17.Executor: Right now? Search me. But that's easy to find out. In fact it's generally a good idea not to neglect checking up on your status. Has my kind-hearted colleague spoken to you about it yet?
18.Changeling: He has.
18.Changeling: He hasn't.
19.Executor: Most importantly, don't forget to stop by the caretaker's lodge. You've got people awaiting you there, and they have no doubts about your identity. As it happens, they've just drawn proof of your arrival from a pile of oracle bones... Your turning up in person will duly impress them. Tarry not.
20.Changeling: Careful! Don't scratch me with that beak of yours.
21.Executor: It is no beak, my dear child. It is a talon! For what I really am is a finger-of a hand!
22.Changeling: You should be that much more careful if it's a talon.
20.Changeling: I'll remember to do that, kindly teacher. Thank you...
21.Executor: Me? I'm not much of a teacher... More like your faithful servant. I'm here because of you, you know. It's you who are the kindly teacher.
22.Changeling: As you wish.
16.Changeling: I know all that! There's no need to teach me the basics.
17.Executor: Most importantly, don't forget to stop by the caretaker's lodge. You've got people awaiting you there, and they have no doubts about your identity. As it happens, they've just drawn proof of your arrival from a pile of oracle bones... Your turning up in person will duly impress them. Tarry not.
18.Changeling: Careful! Don't scratch me with that beak of yours.
19.Executor: It is no beak, my dear child. It is a talon! For what I really am is a finger-of a hand!
20.Changeling: You should be that much more careful if it's a talon.
18.Changeling: I'll remember to do that, kindly teacher. Thank you...
19.Executor: Me? I'm not much of a teacher... More like your faithful servant. I'm here because of you, you know. It's you who are the kindly teacher.
20.Changeling: As you wish.
14.Changeling: Why will it always be falling? I'm a good person...
15.Executor: But people are convinced to the contrary. You will exist in several guises here. The guise that will live in the collective mind-and, one may speculate, the collective memory-is a most terrifying one. Every day, people will witness signs of your otherworldly nature. They will be frightened.
16.Changeling: No! I will be remembered for my mercy! And always spoken of in praise! You'll see!
16.Changeling: Doesn't matter... It won't help them any.
17.Executor: People will always appreciate your help. And I can assure you a lot of people are going to need help these days. Relieving sufferers from their misery is appreciated a great deal. Sometimes a person is in such pain that even euthanasia will be a blessing-especially for the incurable.
18.Changeling: Do I have a good reputation right now?
19.Executor: Right now? Search me. But that's easy to find out. In fact it's generally a good idea not to neglect checking up on your status. Has my kind-hearted colleague spoken to you about it yet?
20.Changeling: He has.
20.Changeling: He hasn't.
21.Executor: Most importantly, don't forget to stop by the caretaker's lodge. You've got people awaiting you there, and they have no doubts about your identity. As it happens, they've just drawn proof of your arrival from a pile of oracle bones... Your turning up in person will duly impress them. Tarry not.
22.Changeling: Careful! Don't scratch me with that beak of yours.
23.Executor: It is no beak, my dear child. It is a talon! For what I really am is a finger-of a hand!
24.Changeling: You should be that much more careful if it's a talon.
22.Changeling: I'll remember to do that, kindly teacher. Thank you...
23.Executor: Me? I'm not much of a teacher... More like your faithful servant. I'm here because of you, you know. It's you who are the kindly teacher.
24.Changeling: As you wish.
18.Changeling: I know all that! There's no need to teach me the basics.
19.Executor: Most importantly, don't forget to stop by the caretaker's lodge. You've got people awaiting you there, and they have no doubts about your identity. As it happens, they've just drawn proof of your arrival from a pile of oracle bones... Your turning up in person will duly impress them. Tarry not.
20.Changeling: Careful! Don't scratch me with that beak of yours.
21.Executor: It is no beak, my dear child. It is a talon! For what I really am is a finger-of a hand!
22.Changeling: You should be that much more careful if it's a talon.
20.Changeling: I'll remember to do that, kindly teacher. Thank you...
21.Executor: Me? I'm not much of a teacher... More like your faithful servant. I'm here because of you, you know. It's you who are the kindly teacher.
22.Changeling: As you wish.
6.Changeling: I'll figure it out, beakhead! Go away and don't bother me anymore.
2.Changeling: How did I end up here?
3.Executor: You crawled out of a grave, sweet child. Or maybe clawed your way right out of the bowels of the earth with your fingernails. Couldn't tell from over here, the mask diminishes my field of view a bit...
4.Changeling: Dear me... And what was I doing in there?
5.Executor: And who are you? That's a much more interesting question as far as everyone's concerned. Yourself included, I should think...
6.Changeling: You can call me Clara.
7.Executor: Before you enter the town and embark on your-uh-cleansing agenda, I'd like to give you a few pieces of advice. You are, after all, a mere hatchling; I rather doubt you arrived at this cemetery with your m. o. already laid out, if you pardon the pun.
8.Changeling: Please do tell me.
9.Executor: Time won't wait for you. Hour after hour, day after day, it will run out fast. You're not the centre of the universe-not even now that you have this truly exceptional part to play. At some point, you may even feel that you could easily be everywhere at once... But make no mistake, the town is changing with time, and there's nothing you can do about it.
10.Changeling: We'll see about that!
10.Changeling: Why do you need to rub it in?
11.Executor: Time has the final say in matters of life and death. It may so happen that you will knock on the door of a person you need when that person is already past being able to answer you. The news changes too... What was on a person's mind a day ago will have petered out come tomorrow. And it may have been something you'd have found useful.
12.Changeling: Pray, why speak of such terrible things? It's not like I have a say in matters of anyone's life and death, time or no time.
13.Executor: Ha ha ha ha ha! Haven't had a laugh like this in quite a while. If you don't have a say, who does? Who but you, my blessed child, is holding in her hands the lives and deaths of others? But be careful with your terrible gift. Every death will count against you. No amount of trickery is too much, no price is too high for maintaining a viable reputation.
14.Changeling: Reputation?
15.Executor: Yes, you will have a reputation too, my dear child... and I don't think you'll find that sullen horse easy to tame. It will be full of surprises. Your reputation will be falling, always, relentlessly. And it's decisive in, you know, everything: how many friends you've got; how many enemies. Trust opens the right doors and the right lips.
16.Changeling: How do I keep track of my reputation?
17.Executor: People will always appreciate your help. And I can assure you a lot of people are going to need help these days. Relieving sufferers from their misery is appreciated a great deal. Sometimes a person is in such pain that even euthanasia will be a blessing-especially for the incurable.
18.Changeling: Do I have a good reputation right now?
19.Executor: Right now? Search me. But that's easy to find out. In fact it's generally a good idea not to neglect checking up on your status. Has my kind-hearted colleague spoken to you about it yet?
20.Changeling: He has.
20.Changeling: He hasn't.
21.Executor: Most importantly, don't forget to stop by the caretaker's lodge. You've got people awaiting you there, and they have no doubts about your identity. As it happens, they've just drawn proof of your arrival from a pile of oracle bones... Your turning up in person will duly impress them. Tarry not.
22.Changeling: Careful! Don't scratch me with that beak of yours.
23.Executor: It is no beak, my dear child. It is a talon! For what I really am is a finger-of a hand!
24.Changeling: You should be that much more careful if it's a talon.
22.Changeling: I'll remember to do that, kindly teacher. Thank you...
23.Executor: Me? I'm not much of a teacher... More like your faithful servant. I'm here because of you, you know. It's you who are the kindly teacher.
24.Changeling: As you wish.
18.Changeling: I know all that! There's no need to teach me the basics.
19.Executor: Most importantly, don't forget to stop by the caretaker's lodge. You've got people awaiting you there, and they have no doubts about your identity. As it happens, they've just drawn proof of your arrival from a pile of oracle bones... Your turning up in person will duly impress them. Tarry not.
20.Changeling: Careful! Don't scratch me with that beak of yours.
21.Executor: It is no beak, my dear child. It is a talon! For what I really am is a finger-of a hand!
22.Changeling: You should be that much more careful if it's a talon.
20.Changeling: I'll remember to do that, kindly teacher. Thank you...
21.Executor: Me? I'm not much of a teacher... More like your faithful servant. I'm here because of you, you know. It's you who are the kindly teacher.
22.Changeling: As you wish.
16.Changeling: Why will it always be falling? I'm a good person...
17.Executor: But people are convinced to the contrary. You will exist in several guises here. The guise that will live in the collective mind-and, one may speculate, the collective memory-is a most terrifying one. Every day, people will witness signs of your otherworldly nature. They will be frightened.
18.Changeling: No! I will be remembered for my mercy! And always spoken of in praise! You'll see!
18.Changeling: Doesn't matter... It won't help them any.
19.Executor: People will always appreciate your help. And I can assure you a lot of people are going to need help these days. Relieving sufferers from their misery is appreciated a great deal. Sometimes a person is in such pain that even euthanasia will be a blessing-especially for the incurable.
20.Changeling: Do I have a good reputation right now?
21.Executor: Right now? Search me. But that's easy to find out. In fact it's generally a good idea not to neglect checking up on your status. Has my kind-hearted colleague spoken to you about it yet?
22.Changeling: He has.
22.Changeling: He hasn't.
23.Executor: Most importantly, don't forget to stop by the caretaker's lodge. You've got people awaiting you there, and they have no doubts about your identity. As it happens, they've just drawn proof of your arrival from a pile of oracle bones... Your turning up in person will duly impress them. Tarry not.
24.Changeling: Careful! Don't scratch me with that beak of yours.
25.Executor: It is no beak, my dear child. It is a talon! For what I really am is a finger-of a hand!
26.Changeling: You should be that much more careful if it's a talon.
24.Changeling: I'll remember to do that, kindly teacher. Thank you...
25.Executor: Me? I'm not much of a teacher... More like your faithful servant. I'm here because of you, you know. It's you who are the kindly teacher.
26.Changeling: As you wish.
20.Changeling: I know all that! There's no need to teach me the basics.
21.Executor: Most importantly, don't forget to stop by the caretaker's lodge. You've got people awaiting you there, and they have no doubts about your identity. As it happens, they've just drawn proof of your arrival from a pile of oracle bones... Your turning up in person will duly impress them. Tarry not.
22.Changeling: Careful! Don't scratch me with that beak of yours.
23.Executor: It is no beak, my dear child. It is a talon! For what I really am is a finger-of a hand!
24.Changeling: You should be that much more careful if it's a talon.
22.Changeling: I'll remember to do that, kindly teacher. Thank you...
23.Executor: Me? I'm not much of a teacher... More like your faithful servant. I'm here because of you, you know. It's you who are the kindly teacher.
24.Changeling: As you wish.
8.Changeling: I'll figure it out, beakhead! Go away and don't bother me anymore.
4.Changeling: And why are you standing here with these horrible masks on your faces... Has something happened?
5.Executor: Before you enter the town and embark on your-uh-cleansing agenda, I'd like to give you a few pieces of advice. You are, after all, a mere hatchling; I rather doubt you arrived at this cemetery with your m. o. already laid out, if you pardon the pun.
6.Changeling: Please do tell me.
7.Executor: Time won't wait for you. Hour after hour, day after day, it will run out fast. You're not the centre of the universe-not even now that you have this truly exceptional part to play. At some point, you may even feel that you could easily be everywhere at once... But make no mistake, the town is changing with time, and there's nothing you can do about it.
8.Changeling: We'll see about that!
8.Changeling: Why do you need to rub it in?
9.Executor: Time has the final say in matters of life and death. It may so happen that you will knock on the door of a person you need when that person is already past being able to answer you. The news changes too... What was on a person's mind a day ago will have petered out come tomorrow. And it may have been something you'd have found useful.
10.Changeling: Pray, why speak of such terrible things? It's not like I have a say in matters of anyone's life and death, time or no time.
11.Executor: Ha ha ha ha ha! Haven't had a laugh like this in quite a while. If you don't have a say, who does? Who but you, my blessed child, is holding in her hands the lives and deaths of others? But be careful with your terrible gift. Every death will count against you. No amount of trickery is too much, no price is too high for maintaining a viable reputation.
12.Changeling: Reputation?
13.Executor: Yes, you will have a reputation too, my dear child... and I don't think you'll find that sullen horse easy to tame. It will be full of surprises. Your reputation will be falling, always, relentlessly. And it's decisive in, you know, everything: how many friends you've got; how many enemies. Trust opens the right doors and the right lips.
14.Changeling: How do I keep track of my reputation?
15.Executor: People will always appreciate your help. And I can assure you a lot of people are going to need help these days. Relieving sufferers from their misery is appreciated a great deal. Sometimes a person is in such pain that even euthanasia will be a blessing-especially for the incurable.
16.Changeling: Do I have a good reputation right now?
17.Executor: Right now? Search me. But that's easy to find out. In fact it's generally a good idea not to neglect checking up on your status. Has my kind-hearted colleague spoken to you about it yet?
18.Changeling: He has.
18.Changeling: He hasn't.
19.Executor: Most importantly, don't forget to stop by the caretaker's lodge. You've got people awaiting you there, and they have no doubts about your identity. As it happens, they've just drawn proof of your arrival from a pile of oracle bones... Your turning up in person will duly impress them. Tarry not.
20.Changeling: Careful! Don't scratch me with that beak of yours.
21.Executor: It is no beak, my dear child. It is a talon! For what I really am is a finger-of a hand!
22.Changeling: You should be that much more careful if it's a talon.
20.Changeling: I'll remember to do that, kindly teacher. Thank you...
21.Executor: Me? I'm not much of a teacher... More like your faithful servant. I'm here because of you, you know. It's you who are the kindly teacher.
22.Changeling: As you wish.
16.Changeling: I know all that! There's no need to teach me the basics.
17.Executor: Most importantly, don't forget to stop by the caretaker's lodge. You've got people awaiting you there, and they have no doubts about your identity. As it happens, they've just drawn proof of your arrival from a pile of oracle bones... Your turning up in person will duly impress them. Tarry not.
18.Changeling: Careful! Don't scratch me with that beak of yours.
19.Executor: It is no beak, my dear child. It is a talon! For what I really am is a finger-of a hand!
20.Changeling: You should be that much more careful if it's a talon.
18.Changeling: I'll remember to do that, kindly teacher. Thank you...
19.Executor: Me? I'm not much of a teacher... More like your faithful servant. I'm here because of you, you know. It's you who are the kindly teacher.
20.Changeling: As you wish.
14.Changeling: Why will it always be falling? I'm a good person...
15.Executor: But people are convinced to the contrary. You will exist in several guises here. The guise that will live in the collective mind-and, one may speculate, the collective memory-is a most terrifying one. Every day, people will witness signs of your otherworldly nature. They will be frightened.
16.Changeling: No! I will be remembered for my mercy! And always spoken of in praise! You'll see!
16.Changeling: Doesn't matter... It won't help them any.
17.Executor: People will always appreciate your help. And I can assure you a lot of people are going to need help these days. Relieving sufferers from their misery is appreciated a great deal. Sometimes a person is in such pain that even euthanasia will be a blessing-especially for the incurable.
18.Changeling: Do I have a good reputation right now?
19.Executor: Right now? Search me. But that's easy to find out. In fact it's generally a good idea not to neglect checking up on your status. Has my kind-hearted colleague spoken to you about it yet?
20.Changeling: He has.
20.Changeling: He hasn't.
21.Executor: Most importantly, don't forget to stop by the caretaker's lodge. You've got people awaiting you there, and they have no doubts about your identity. As it happens, they've just drawn proof of your arrival from a pile of oracle bones... Your turning up in person will duly impress them. Tarry not.
22.Changeling: Careful! Don't scratch me with that beak of yours.
23.Executor: It is no beak, my dear child. It is a talon! For what I really am is a finger-of a hand!
24.Changeling: You should be that much more careful if it's a talon.
22.Changeling: I'll remember to do that, kindly teacher. Thank you...
23.Executor: Me? I'm not much of a teacher... More like your faithful servant. I'm here because of you, you know. It's you who are the kindly teacher.
24.Changeling: As you wish.
18.Changeling: I know all that! There's no need to teach me the basics.
19.Executor: Most importantly, don't forget to stop by the caretaker's lodge. You've got people awaiting you there, and they have no doubts about your identity. As it happens, they've just drawn proof of your arrival from a pile of oracle bones... Your turning up in person will duly impress them. Tarry not.
20.Changeling: Careful! Don't scratch me with that beak of yours.
21.Executor: It is no beak, my dear child. It is a talon! For what I really am is a finger-of a hand!
22.Changeling: You should be that much more careful if it's a talon.
20.Changeling: I'll remember to do that, kindly teacher. Thank you...
21.Executor: Me? I'm not much of a teacher... More like your faithful servant. I'm here because of you, you know. It's you who are the kindly teacher.
22.Changeling: As you wish.
6.Changeling: I'll figure it out, beakhead! Go away and don't bother me anymore.
1.Doghead: I'm angry. And I hurt.
2.Changeling: Why so?
3.Doghead: Why? Because first I get chased away into the Steppe by my Soul-and-a-Half mates-and then I run into a Ripper there to boot. Boy was I begging him to let me go-but the bastard knew what I'd been picked on for, then pulled out his knife, and here I am, carved up like so much fillet. It hurts. Help me, will you?
4.Changeling: Why did they do it to you?
5.Doghead: Well... I suppose I had done what was a mighty rotten thing to do, and mucked it up like an idiot, at that. So my former Soul-and-a-Half mates, they threw me out, called me a traitor and all that. Hunted me. But I'm a slick one. I saved myself. Thought I'd made it out. And what do you know, along comes Leathersack!
6.Changeling: Leathersack?
7.Doghead: Some Ripper I'd never seen round here before. And he's like, stop right there, imma question you. Are you wanted for such-and-such crimes, are you carrying valuables on your person, exetra exetra-and then whack he goes with that razor. But I wriggled myself free-saved myself again! And then wobbled my way to this place, and then...
8.Changeling: What did you do to cross the boys? Look me in the eye and speak honestly, or else forget about getting help from me.
9.Doghead: Uh... honestly, it was pretty bad. You see, there's those shmowder things. Y'know, powders-shmowders. We had an outbreak a couple of years ago-they called it the Sand Pest. It would burn up your blood. So these shmowders, they helped if you caught it. There are still some left, but they're hard to come by.
10.Changeling: And...?
11.Doghead: A-and now there was this rumour, about the Pest being back and even a couple of folks, what's the word, sick-coming to it; and one of our lot had a shmowder. Was saving it for his sister in case she caught the Pest. Basically, I, you know, stole it.
12.Changeling: What for? For yourself?
13.Doghead: Nah, not for myself. Our gang, the Soul-and-a-Halves, is at war with another gang, the Dogheads; quite a fight this is, last drop of blood and all. The Dogheads outnumber us, and they've set up their lair at the Tower. And the Tower is... a dream tower of pure gold, if you like. You wouldn't understand. So I thought I'd switch sides. With that shmowder as an admission fee.
14.Changeling: So you stole medicine from a friend, who might need it to save his sister's life, and you did it so you could be a more desirable sell-out? Right?
15.Doghead: What does it matter! Everyone steals; everyone sells out; it's in our nature. Whoever isn't a thieving man-is a thieving woman, ha ha! The real nasty part is that when my scheme was out, the fool rushed me and tried to take his shmowder back, so I... waited for the right moment and offed him.
16.Changeling: This is just abominable! I'm not touching someone like you, ever!
17.Doghead: Take pity on me, please do, gentle girl... I may be a murderer, but I'm just a wee little murderer. I may end up reformed yet! After I've ripped nasty Ripper's throat out, that is.
18.Changeling: You don't seem like you could take pity to anyone.
18.Changeling: I feel that fate has brought me here for a reason. And made me meet such a wretch here for a reason, too.
16.Changeling: ...Good grief. Do you at least feel some remorse?
17.Doghead: Oh yes, yes! I'm all remorse and penny tins! Just do something, stop the bleeding at least, tie it with a hanky, would you? See how the bastard has sliced me into ribbons with that razor of his? Ah, just let me get to him. I'll tie him up and give him twice the pain he gave me!
18.Changeling: Be quiet and hold still! I'm going to lay my hands on you, and you'll get better.
18.Changeling: I could heal you, but I won't. You're much too disgusting.
14.Changeling: You're a real scoundrel, aren't you...
15.Doghead: Oh yes, yes! I'm all remorse and penny tins! Just do something, stop the bleeding at least, tie it with a hanky, would you? See how the bastard has sliced me into ribbons with that razor of his? Ah, just let me get to him. I'll tie him up and give him twice the pain he gave me!
16.Changeling: Be quiet and hold still! I'm going to lay my hands on you, and you'll get better.
16.Changeling: I could heal you, but I won't. You're much too disgusting.
12.Changeling: And there I was wondering how a pathetic creature like you could vex everyone so much. Turns out you're really asking for it...
13.Doghead: Oh yes, yes! I'm all remorse and penny tins! Just do something, stop the bleeding at least, tie it with a hanky, would you? See how the bastard has sliced me into ribbons with that razor of his? Ah, just let me get to him. I'll tie him up and give him twice the pain he gave me!
14.Changeling: Be quiet and hold still! I'm going to lay my hands on you, and you'll get better.
14.Changeling: I could heal you, but I won't. You're much too disgusting.
8.Changeling: Poor thing... Come on, come to me, let me touch you with my hands. You'll feel better.
6.Changeling: So what did you do to become hunted like that?
7.Doghead: Uh... honestly, it was pretty bad. You see, there's those shmowder things. Y'know, powders-shmowders. We had an outbreak a couple of years ago-they called it the Sand Pest. It would burn up your blood. So these shmowders, they helped if you caught it. There are still some left, but they're hard to come by.
8.Changeling: And...?
9.Doghead: A-and now there was this rumour, about the Pest being back and even a couple of folks, what's the word, sick-coming to it; and one of our lot had a shmowder. Was saving it for his sister in case she caught the Pest. Basically, I, you know, stole it.
10.Changeling: What for? For yourself?
11.Doghead: Nah, not for myself. Our gang, the Soul-and-a-Halves, is at war with another gang, the Dogheads; quite a fight this is, last drop of blood and all. The Dogheads outnumber us, and they've set up their lair at the Tower. And the Tower is... a dream tower of pure gold, if you like. You wouldn't understand. So I thought I'd switch sides. With that shmowder as an admission fee.
12.Changeling: So you stole medicine from a friend, who might need it to save his sister's life, and you did it so you could be a more desirable sell-out? Right?
13.Doghead: What does it matter! Everyone steals; everyone sells out; it's in our nature. Whoever isn't a thieving man-is a thieving woman, ha ha! The real nasty part is that when my scheme was out, the fool rushed me and tried to take his shmowder back, so I... waited for the right moment and offed him.
14.Changeling: This is just abominable! I'm not touching someone like you, ever!
15.Doghead: Take pity on me, please do, gentle girl... I may be a murderer, but I'm just a wee little murderer. I may end up reformed yet! After I've ripped nasty Ripper's throat out, that is.
16.Changeling: You don't seem like you could take pity to anyone.
16.Changeling: I feel that fate has brought me here for a reason. And made me meet such a wretch here for a reason, too.
14.Changeling: ...Good grief. Do you at least feel some remorse?
15.Doghead: Oh yes, yes! I'm all remorse and penny tins! Just do something, stop the bleeding at least, tie it with a hanky, would you? See how the bastard has sliced me into ribbons with that razor of his? Ah, just let me get to him. I'll tie him up and give him twice the pain he gave me!
16.Changeling: Be quiet and hold still! I'm going to lay my hands on you, and you'll get better.
16.Changeling: I could heal you, but I won't. You're much too disgusting.
12.Changeling: You're a real scoundrel, aren't you...
13.Doghead: Oh yes, yes! I'm all remorse and penny tins! Just do something, stop the bleeding at least, tie it with a hanky, would you? See how the bastard has sliced me into ribbons with that razor of his? Ah, just let me get to him. I'll tie him up and give him twice the pain he gave me!
14.Changeling: Be quiet and hold still! I'm going to lay my hands on you, and you'll get better.
14.Changeling: I could heal you, but I won't. You're much too disgusting.
10.Changeling: And there I was wondering how a pathetic creature like you could vex everyone so much. Turns out you're really asking for it...
11.Doghead: Oh yes, yes! I'm all remorse and penny tins! Just do something, stop the bleeding at least, tie it with a hanky, would you? See how the bastard has sliced me into ribbons with that razor of his? Ah, just let me get to him. I'll tie him up and give him twice the pain he gave me!
12.Changeling: Be quiet and hold still! I'm going to lay my hands on you, and you'll get better.
12.Changeling: I could heal you, but I won't. You're much too disgusting.
4.Changeling: Hang on... What was it you said? 'Soul-and-a-Half'?
5.Doghead: Yep.
6.Changeling: How can someone have a soul and a half?
7.Doghead: Some people even have two, but they're freaks. You see, a soul-and-a-half is a monster. A demon, sort of like a hobgoblin or a dust-wraith. That's why he's a monster-because he has more than one soul. That's the idea.
8.Changeling: I see... So-they attacked you? Hurt you?
9.Doghead: Well... I suppose I had done what was a mighty rotten thing to do, and mucked it up like an idiot, at that. So my former Soul-and-a-Half mates, they threw me out, called me a traitor and all that. Hunted me. But I'm a slick one. I saved myself. Thought I'd made it out. And what do you know, along comes Leathersack!
10.Changeling: Leathersack?
11.Doghead: Some Ripper I'd never seen round here before. And he's like, stop right there, imma question you. Are you wanted for such-and-such crimes, are you carrying valuables on your person, exetra exetra-and then whack he goes with that razor. But I wriggled myself free-saved myself again! And then wobbled my way to this place, and then...
12.Changeling: What did you do to cross the boys? Look me in the eye and speak honestly, or else forget about getting help from me.
13.Doghead: Uh... honestly, it was pretty bad. You see, there's those shmowder things. Y'know, powders-shmowders. We had an outbreak a couple of years ago-they called it the Sand Pest. It would burn up your blood. So these shmowders, they helped if you caught it. There are still some left, but they're hard to come by.
14.Changeling: And...?
15.Doghead: A-and now there was this rumour, about the Pest being back and even a couple of folks, what's the word, sick-coming to it; and one of our lot had a shmowder. Was saving it for his sister in case she caught the Pest. Basically, I, you know, stole it.
16.Changeling: What for? For yourself?
17.Doghead: Nah, not for myself. Our gang, the Soul-and-a-Halves, is at war with another gang, the Dogheads; quite a fight this is, last drop of blood and all. The Dogheads outnumber us, and they've set up their lair at the Tower. And the Tower is... a dream tower of pure gold, if you like. You wouldn't understand. So I thought I'd switch sides. With that shmowder as an admission fee.
18.Changeling: So you stole medicine from a friend, who might need it to save his sister's life, and you did it so you could be a more desirable sell-out? Right?
19.Doghead: What does it matter! Everyone steals; everyone sells out; it's in our nature. Whoever isn't a thieving man-is a thieving woman, ha ha! The real nasty part is that when my scheme was out, the fool rushed me and tried to take his shmowder back, so I... waited for the right moment and offed him.
20.Changeling: This is just abominable! I'm not touching someone like you, ever!
21.Doghead: Take pity on me, please do, gentle girl... I may be a murderer, but I'm just a wee little murderer. I may end up reformed yet! After I've ripped nasty Ripper's throat out, that is.
22.Changeling: You don't seem like you could take pity to anyone.
22.Changeling: I feel that fate has brought me here for a reason. And made me meet such a wretch here for a reason, too.
20.Changeling: ...Good grief. Do you at least feel some remorse?
21.Doghead: Oh yes, yes! I'm all remorse and penny tins! Just do something, stop the bleeding at least, tie it with a hanky, would you? See how the bastard has sliced me into ribbons with that razor of his? Ah, just let me get to him. I'll tie him up and give him twice the pain he gave me!
22.Changeling: Be quiet and hold still! I'm going to lay my hands on you, and you'll get better.
22.Changeling: I could heal you, but I won't. You're much too disgusting.
18.Changeling: You're a real scoundrel, aren't you...
19.Doghead: Oh yes, yes! I'm all remorse and penny tins! Just do something, stop the bleeding at least, tie it with a hanky, would you? See how the bastard has sliced me into ribbons with that razor of his? Ah, just let me get to him. I'll tie him up and give him twice the pain he gave me!
20.Changeling: Be quiet and hold still! I'm going to lay my hands on you, and you'll get better.
20.Changeling: I could heal you, but I won't. You're much too disgusting.
16.Changeling: And there I was wondering how a pathetic creature like you could vex everyone so much. Turns out you're really asking for it...
17.Doghead: Oh yes, yes! I'm all remorse and penny tins! Just do something, stop the bleeding at least, tie it with a hanky, would you? See how the bastard has sliced me into ribbons with that razor of his? Ah, just let me get to him. I'll tie him up and give him twice the pain he gave me!
18.Changeling: Be quiet and hold still! I'm going to lay my hands on you, and you'll get better.
18.Changeling: I could heal you, but I won't. You're much too disgusting.
12.Changeling: Poor thing... Come on, come to me, let me touch you with my hands. You'll feel better.
10.Changeling: So what did you do to become hunted like that?
11.Doghead: Uh... honestly, it was pretty bad. You see, there's those shmowder things. Y'know, powders-shmowders. We had an outbreak a couple of years ago-they called it the Sand Pest. It would burn up your blood. So these shmowders, they helped if you caught it. There are still some left, but they're hard to come by.
12.Changeling: And...?
13.Doghead: A-and now there was this rumour, about the Pest being back and even a couple of folks, what's the word, sick-coming to it; and one of our lot had a shmowder. Was saving it for his sister in case she caught the Pest. Basically, I, you know, stole it.
14.Changeling: What for? For yourself?
15.Doghead: Nah, not for myself. Our gang, the Soul-and-a-Halves, is at war with another gang, the Dogheads; quite a fight this is, last drop of blood and all. The Dogheads outnumber us, and they've set up their lair at the Tower. And the Tower is... a dream tower of pure gold, if you like. You wouldn't understand. So I thought I'd switch sides. With that shmowder as an admission fee.
16.Changeling: So you stole medicine from a friend, who might need it to save his sister's life, and you did it so you could be a more desirable sell-out? Right?
17.Doghead: What does it matter! Everyone steals; everyone sells out; it's in our nature. Whoever isn't a thieving man-is a thieving woman, ha ha! The real nasty part is that when my scheme was out, the fool rushed me and tried to take his shmowder back, so I... waited for the right moment and offed him.
18.Changeling: This is just abominable! I'm not touching someone like you, ever!
19.Doghead: Take pity on me, please do, gentle girl... I may be a murderer, but I'm just a wee little murderer. I may end up reformed yet! After I've ripped nasty Ripper's throat out, that is.
20.Changeling: You don't seem like you could take pity to anyone.
20.Changeling: I feel that fate has brought me here for a reason. And made me meet such a wretch here for a reason, too.
18.Changeling: ...Good grief. Do you at least feel some remorse?
19.Doghead: Oh yes, yes! I'm all remorse and penny tins! Just do something, stop the bleeding at least, tie it with a hanky, would you? See how the bastard has sliced me into ribbons with that razor of his? Ah, just let me get to him. I'll tie him up and give him twice the pain he gave me!
20.Changeling: Be quiet and hold still! I'm going to lay my hands on you, and you'll get better.
20.Changeling: I could heal you, but I won't. You're much too disgusting.
16.Changeling: You're a real scoundrel, aren't you...
17.Doghead: Oh yes, yes! I'm all remorse and penny tins! Just do something, stop the bleeding at least, tie it with a hanky, would you? See how the bastard has sliced me into ribbons with that razor of his? Ah, just let me get to him. I'll tie him up and give him twice the pain he gave me!
18.Changeling: Be quiet and hold still! I'm going to lay my hands on you, and you'll get better.
18.Changeling: I could heal you, but I won't. You're much too disgusting.
14.Changeling: And there I was wondering how a pathetic creature like you could vex everyone so much. Turns out you're really asking for it...
15.Doghead: Oh yes, yes! I'm all remorse and penny tins! Just do something, stop the bleeding at least, tie it with a hanky, would you? See how the bastard has sliced me into ribbons with that razor of his? Ah, just let me get to him. I'll tie him up and give him twice the pain he gave me!
16.Changeling: Be quiet and hold still! I'm going to lay my hands on you, and you'll get better.
16.Changeling: I could heal you, but I won't. You're much too disgusting.
8.Changeling: So your friends are monsters?
9.Doghead: No, they're a different kind of Soul-and-a-Halves. It's what they named themselves to make the Dogheads afraid of them. Not that anyone is afraid of them, of course. Our might will crush them all! Actually, the reason for the name is that they've each got a Half. A little pet familiar. That's who they get the extra soulage from. And boy do they adore the little beasts!
10.Changeling: And what did you do to make them throw you out?
11.Doghead: Well... I suppose I had done what was a mighty rotten thing to do, and mucked it up like an idiot, at that. So my former Soul-and-a-Half mates, they threw me out, called me a traitor and all that. Hunted me. But I'm a slick one. I saved myself. Thought I'd made it out. And what do you know, along comes Leathersack!
12.Changeling: Leathersack?
13.Doghead: Some Ripper I'd never seen round here before. And he's like, stop right there, imma question you. Are you wanted for such-and-such crimes, are you carrying valuables on your person, exetra exetra-and then whack he goes with that razor. But I wriggled myself free-saved myself again! And then wobbled my way to this place, and then...
14.Changeling: What did you do to cross the boys? Look me in the eye and speak honestly, or else forget about getting help from me.
15.Doghead: Uh... honestly, it was pretty bad. You see, there's those shmowder things. Y'know, powders-shmowders. We had an outbreak a couple of years ago-they called it the Sand Pest. It would burn up your blood. So these shmowders, they helped if you caught it. There are still some left, but they're hard to come by.
16.Changeling: And...?
17.Doghead: A-and now there was this rumour, about the Pest being back and even a couple of folks, what's the word, sick-coming to it; and one of our lot had a shmowder. Was saving it for his sister in case she caught the Pest. Basically, I, you know, stole it.
18.Changeling: What for? For yourself?
19.Doghead: Nah, not for myself. Our gang, the Soul-and-a-Halves, is at war with another gang, the Dogheads; quite a fight this is, last drop of blood and all. The Dogheads outnumber us, and they've set up their lair at the Tower. And the Tower is... a dream tower of pure gold, if you like. You wouldn't understand. So I thought I'd switch sides. With that shmowder as an admission fee.
20.Changeling: So you stole medicine from a friend, who might need it to save his sister's life, and you did it so you could be a more desirable sell-out? Right?
21.Doghead: What does it matter! Everyone steals; everyone sells out; it's in our nature. Whoever isn't a thieving man-is a thieving woman, ha ha! The real nasty part is that when my scheme was out, the fool rushed me and tried to take his shmowder back, so I... waited for the right moment and offed him.
22.Changeling: This is just abominable! I'm not touching someone like you, ever!
23.Doghead: Take pity on me, please do, gentle girl... I may be a murderer, but I'm just a wee little murderer. I may end up reformed yet! After I've ripped nasty Ripper's throat out, that is.
24.Changeling: You don't seem like you could take pity to anyone.
24.Changeling: I feel that fate has brought me here for a reason. And made me meet such a wretch here for a reason, too.
22.Changeling: ...Good grief. Do you at least feel some remorse?
23.Doghead: Oh yes, yes! I'm all remorse and penny tins! Just do something, stop the bleeding at least, tie it with a hanky, would you? See how the bastard has sliced me into ribbons with that razor of his? Ah, just let me get to him. I'll tie him up and give him twice the pain he gave me!
24.Changeling: Be quiet and hold still! I'm going to lay my hands on you, and you'll get better.
24.Changeling: I could heal you, but I won't. You're much too disgusting.
20.Changeling: You're a real scoundrel, aren't you...
21.Doghead: Oh yes, yes! I'm all remorse and penny tins! Just do something, stop the bleeding at least, tie it with a hanky, would you? See how the bastard has sliced me into ribbons with that razor of his? Ah, just let me get to him. I'll tie him up and give him twice the pain he gave me!
22.Changeling: Be quiet and hold still! I'm going to lay my hands on you, and you'll get better.
22.Changeling: I could heal you, but I won't. You're much too disgusting.
18.Changeling: And there I was wondering how a pathetic creature like you could vex everyone so much. Turns out you're really asking for it...
19.Doghead: Oh yes, yes! I'm all remorse and penny tins! Just do something, stop the bleeding at least, tie it with a hanky, would you? See how the bastard has sliced me into ribbons with that razor of his? Ah, just let me get to him. I'll tie him up and give him twice the pain he gave me!
20.Changeling: Be quiet and hold still! I'm going to lay my hands on you, and you'll get better.
20.Changeling: I could heal you, but I won't. You're much too disgusting.
14.Changeling: Poor thing... Come on, come to me, let me touch you with my hands. You'll feel better.
12.Changeling: So what did you do to become hunted like that?
13.Doghead: Uh... honestly, it was pretty bad. You see, there's those shmowder things. Y'know, powders-shmowders. We had an outbreak a couple of years ago-they called it the Sand Pest. It would burn up your blood. So these shmowders, they helped if you caught it. There are still some left, but they're hard to come by.
14.Changeling: And...?
15.Doghead: A-and now there was this rumour, about the Pest being back and even a couple of folks, what's the word, sick-coming to it; and one of our lot had a shmowder. Was saving it for his sister in case she caught the Pest. Basically, I, you know, stole it.
16.Changeling: What for? For yourself?
17.Doghead: Nah, not for myself. Our gang, the Soul-and-a-Halves, is at war with another gang, the Dogheads; quite a fight this is, last drop of blood and all. The Dogheads outnumber us, and they've set up their lair at the Tower. And the Tower is... a dream tower of pure gold, if you like. You wouldn't understand. So I thought I'd switch sides. With that shmowder as an admission fee.
18.Changeling: So you stole medicine from a friend, who might need it to save his sister's life, and you did it so you could be a more desirable sell-out? Right?
19.Doghead: What does it matter! Everyone steals; everyone sells out; it's in our nature. Whoever isn't a thieving man-is a thieving woman, ha ha! The real nasty part is that when my scheme was out, the fool rushed me and tried to take his shmowder back, so I... waited for the right moment and offed him.
20.Changeling: This is just abominable! I'm not touching someone like you, ever!
21.Doghead: Take pity on me, please do, gentle girl... I may be a murderer, but I'm just a wee little murderer. I may end up reformed yet! After I've ripped nasty Ripper's throat out, that is.
22.Changeling: You don't seem like you could take pity to anyone.
22.Changeling: I feel that fate has brought me here for a reason. And made me meet such a wretch here for a reason, too.
20.Changeling: ...Good grief. Do you at least feel some remorse?
21.Doghead: Oh yes, yes! I'm all remorse and penny tins! Just do something, stop the bleeding at least, tie it with a hanky, would you? See how the bastard has sliced me into ribbons with that razor of his? Ah, just let me get to him. I'll tie him up and give him twice the pain he gave me!
22.Changeling: Be quiet and hold still! I'm going to lay my hands on you, and you'll get better.
22.Changeling: I could heal you, but I won't. You're much too disgusting.
18.Changeling: You're a real scoundrel, aren't you...
19.Doghead: Oh yes, yes! I'm all remorse and penny tins! Just do something, stop the bleeding at least, tie it with a hanky, would you? See how the bastard has sliced me into ribbons with that razor of his? Ah, just let me get to him. I'll tie him up and give him twice the pain he gave me!
20.Changeling: Be quiet and hold still! I'm going to lay my hands on you, and you'll get better.
20.Changeling: I could heal you, but I won't. You're much too disgusting.
16.Changeling: And there I was wondering how a pathetic creature like you could vex everyone so much. Turns out you're really asking for it...
17.Doghead: Oh yes, yes! I'm all remorse and penny tins! Just do something, stop the bleeding at least, tie it with a hanky, would you? See how the bastard has sliced me into ribbons with that razor of his? Ah, just let me get to him. I'll tie him up and give him twice the pain he gave me!
18.Changeling: Be quiet and hold still! I'm going to lay my hands on you, and you'll get better.
18.Changeling: I could heal you, but I won't. You're much too disgusting.
6.Changeling: ...My heart is beating so fast now... Why would that be? Or have I felt this before?
7.Doghead: No, they're a different kind of Soul-and-a-Halves. It's what they named themselves to make the Dogheads afraid of them. Not that anyone is afraid of them, of course. Our might will crush them all! Actually, the reason for the name is that they've each got a Half. A little pet familiar. That's who they get the extra soulage from. And boy do they adore the little beasts!
8.Changeling: And what did you do to make them throw you out?
9.Doghead: Well... I suppose I had done what was a mighty rotten thing to do, and mucked it up like an idiot, at that. So my former Soul-and-a-Half mates, they threw me out, called me a traitor and all that. Hunted me. But I'm a slick one. I saved myself. Thought I'd made it out. And what do you know, along comes Leathersack!
10.Changeling: Leathersack?
11.Doghead: Some Ripper I'd never seen round here before. And he's like, stop right there, imma question you. Are you wanted for such-and-such crimes, are you carrying valuables on your person, exetra exetra-and then whack he goes with that razor. But I wriggled myself free-saved myself again! And then wobbled my way to this place, and then...
12.Changeling: What did you do to cross the boys? Look me in the eye and speak honestly, or else forget about getting help from me.
13.Doghead: Uh... honestly, it was pretty bad. You see, there's those shmowder things. Y'know, powders-shmowders. We had an outbreak a couple of years ago-they called it the Sand Pest. It would burn up your blood. So these shmowders, they helped if you caught it. There are still some left, but they're hard to come by.
14.Changeling: And...?
15.Doghead: A-and now there was this rumour, about the Pest being back and even a couple of folks, what's the word, sick-coming to it; and one of our lot had a shmowder. Was saving it for his sister in case she caught the Pest. Basically, I, you know, stole it.
16.Changeling: What for? For yourself?
17.Doghead: Nah, not for myself. Our gang, the Soul-and-a-Halves, is at war with another gang, the Dogheads; quite a fight this is, last drop of blood and all. The Dogheads outnumber us, and they've set up their lair at the Tower. And the Tower is... a dream tower of pure gold, if you like. You wouldn't understand. So I thought I'd switch sides. With that shmowder as an admission fee.
18.Changeling: So you stole medicine from a friend, who might need it to save his sister's life, and you did it so you could be a more desirable sell-out? Right?
19.Doghead: What does it matter! Everyone steals; everyone sells out; it's in our nature. Whoever isn't a thieving man-is a thieving woman, ha ha! The real nasty part is that when my scheme was out, the fool rushed me and tried to take his shmowder back, so I... waited for the right moment and offed him.
20.Changeling: This is just abominable! I'm not touching someone like you, ever!
21.Doghead: Take pity on me, please do, gentle girl... I may be a murderer, but I'm just a wee little murderer. I may end up reformed yet! After I've ripped nasty Ripper's throat out, that is.
22.Changeling: You don't seem like you could take pity to anyone.
22.Changeling: I feel that fate has brought me here for a reason. And made me meet such a wretch here for a reason, too.
20.Changeling: ...Good grief. Do you at least feel some remorse?
21.Doghead: Oh yes, yes! I'm all remorse and penny tins! Just do something, stop the bleeding at least, tie it with a hanky, would you? See how the bastard has sliced me into ribbons with that razor of his? Ah, just let me get to him. I'll tie him up and give him twice the pain he gave me!
22.Changeling: Be quiet and hold still! I'm going to lay my hands on you, and you'll get better.
22.Changeling: I could heal you, but I won't. You're much too disgusting.
18.Changeling: You're a real scoundrel, aren't you...
19.Doghead: Oh yes, yes! I'm all remorse and penny tins! Just do something, stop the bleeding at least, tie it with a hanky, would you? See how the bastard has sliced me into ribbons with that razor of his? Ah, just let me get to him. I'll tie him up and give him twice the pain he gave me!
20.Changeling: Be quiet and hold still! I'm going to lay my hands on you, and you'll get better.
20.Changeling: I could heal you, but I won't. You're much too disgusting.
16.Changeling: And there I was wondering how a pathetic creature like you could vex everyone so much. Turns out you're really asking for it...
17.Doghead: Oh yes, yes! I'm all remorse and penny tins! Just do something, stop the bleeding at least, tie it with a hanky, would you? See how the bastard has sliced me into ribbons with that razor of his? Ah, just let me get to him. I'll tie him up and give him twice the pain he gave me!
18.Changeling: Be quiet and hold still! I'm going to lay my hands on you, and you'll get better.
18.Changeling: I could heal you, but I won't. You're much too disgusting.
12.Changeling: Poor thing... Come on, come to me, let me touch you with my hands. You'll feel better.
10.Changeling: So what did you do to become hunted like that?
11.Doghead: Uh... honestly, it was pretty bad. You see, there's those shmowder things. Y'know, powders-shmowders. We had an outbreak a couple of years ago-they called it the Sand Pest. It would burn up your blood. So these shmowders, they helped if you caught it. There are still some left, but they're hard to come by.
12.Changeling: And...?
13.Doghead: A-and now there was this rumour, about the Pest being back and even a couple of folks, what's the word, sick-coming to it; and one of our lot had a shmowder. Was saving it for his sister in case she caught the Pest. Basically, I, you know, stole it.
14.Changeling: What for? For yourself?
15.Doghead: Nah, not for myself. Our gang, the Soul-and-a-Halves, is at war with another gang, the Dogheads; quite a fight this is, last drop of blood and all. The Dogheads outnumber us, and they've set up their lair at the Tower. And the Tower is... a dream tower of pure gold, if you like. You wouldn't understand. So I thought I'd switch sides. With that shmowder as an admission fee.
16.Changeling: So you stole medicine from a friend, who might need it to save his sister's life, and you did it so you could be a more desirable sell-out? Right?
17.Doghead: What does it matter! Everyone steals; everyone sells out; it's in our nature. Whoever isn't a thieving man-is a thieving woman, ha ha! The real nasty part is that when my scheme was out, the fool rushed me and tried to take his shmowder back, so I... waited for the right moment and offed him.
18.Changeling: This is just abominable! I'm not touching someone like you, ever!
19.Doghead: Take pity on me, please do, gentle girl... I may be a murderer, but I'm just a wee little murderer. I may end up reformed yet! After I've ripped nasty Ripper's throat out, that is.
20.Changeling: You don't seem like you could take pity to anyone.
20.Changeling: I feel that fate has brought me here for a reason. And made me meet such a wretch here for a reason, too.
18.Changeling: ...Good grief. Do you at least feel some remorse?
19.Doghead: Oh yes, yes! I'm all remorse and penny tins! Just do something, stop the bleeding at least, tie it with a hanky, would you? See how the bastard has sliced me into ribbons with that razor of his? Ah, just let me get to him. I'll tie him up and give him twice the pain he gave me!
20.Changeling: Be quiet and hold still! I'm going to lay my hands on you, and you'll get better.
20.Changeling: I could heal you, but I won't. You're much too disgusting.
16.Changeling: You're a real scoundrel, aren't you...
17.Doghead: Oh yes, yes! I'm all remorse and penny tins! Just do something, stop the bleeding at least, tie it with a hanky, would you? See how the bastard has sliced me into ribbons with that razor of his? Ah, just let me get to him. I'll tie him up and give him twice the pain he gave me!
18.Changeling: Be quiet and hold still! I'm going to lay my hands on you, and you'll get better.
18.Changeling: I could heal you, but I won't. You're much too disgusting.
14.Changeling: And there I was wondering how a pathetic creature like you could vex everyone so much. Turns out you're really asking for it...
15.Doghead: Oh yes, yes! I'm all remorse and penny tins! Just do something, stop the bleeding at least, tie it with a hanky, would you? See how the bastard has sliced me into ribbons with that razor of his? Ah, just let me get to him. I'll tie him up and give him twice the pain he gave me!
16.Changeling: Be quiet and hold still! I'm going to lay my hands on you, and you'll get better.
16.Changeling: I could heal you, but I won't. You're much too disgusting.
1.Doghead: Come on! Hurry up and heal me! Oh, the pain...
2.Changeling: Patience. This may be a little unpleasant.
2.Changeling: Ah, to hell with you!
1.Sickly Man: And what are you doing here, girl?
2.Changeling: I've come here on Alexander's orders. Same as you, I guess?
3.Sickly Man: Yes. I am a faithful man, a servant of the Saburovs. There were two of us... We came to see about the dead and wounded, only to discover that robbers were already running rampant around here! They attacked us and... most likely killed my assistant.
4.Changeling: What sort of robbers were they?
5.Sickly Man: Warehouse dwellers, by the looks of it; Grief's minions. They plundered the dead and finished off the wounded. They spared no-one! Although one dying man did manage to hide from them. In the fuss, no one noticed him crawl away towards the cemetery. He must have crossed the marsh... I suppose they're angry as hell!
6.Changeling: How do you know that?
7.Sickly Man: A bit of eavesdropping. I hid in the fuss too, and this is where I'm hiding from them now. They're out and about nearby; just gotten as far as the rocks. I'm waiting for them to go away so I can call for help and do what my lord told me to.
8.Changeling: And who's this with you?
9.Sickly Man: He's not with me! A wounded homeless boy. At first I thought he was another survivor-but he's apparently just wandered in... So I'm thinking, maybe he's one of the rogue lot?
10.Changeling: Where are those robbers?
11.Sickly Man: Over there, next to the cars... Be careful, don't come close! They're wicked good knife-throwers.
12.Changeling: So they stabbed this guttersnipe with a knife?
13.Sickly Man: Well, he's carved up a good bit! See how he's clutching his side? So who's been getting playful with a knife? Been a while since anybody got knifed around here... And the other one, the one that crawled away to the cemetery-there wasn't an unbloodied spot on him. This one here was pretty lucky. You could almost say unharmed.
14.Changeling: Unharmed? Far from it. I'll try and talk to him.
10.Changeling: Why?
11.Sickly Man: Looks very suspicious. Unsteady eyes, like he's done something nasty. The kind you can tell is a scoundrel at once. Murmurs something that cannot be understood-threatens to kill somebody. See, he hasn't got the kind of head that honest folk have, either... But he seems more afraid of the Warehouse people than of me. Still, he wouldn't say a word to me.
12.Changeling: Is he seriously injured?
13.Sickly Man: Well, he's carved up a good bit! See how he's clutching his side? So who's been getting playful with a knife? Been a while since anybody got knifed around here... And the other one, the one that crawled away to the cemetery-there wasn't an unbloodied spot on him. This one here was pretty lucky. You could almost say unharmed.
14.Changeling: Unharmed? Far from it. I'll try and talk to him.
6.Changeling: Is this dog-headed midget also in Alexander's service?
7.Sickly Man: He's not with me! A wounded homeless boy. At first I thought he was another survivor-but he's apparently just wandered in... So I'm thinking, maybe he's one of the rogue lot?
8.Changeling: Where are those robbers?
9.Sickly Man: Over there, next to the cars... Be careful, don't come close! They're wicked good knife-throwers.
10.Changeling: So they stabbed this guttersnipe with a knife?
11.Sickly Man: Well, he's carved up a good bit! See how he's clutching his side? So who's been getting playful with a knife? Been a while since anybody got knifed around here... And the other one, the one that crawled away to the cemetery-there wasn't an unbloodied spot on him. This one here was pretty lucky. You could almost say unharmed.
12.Changeling: Unharmed? Far from it. I'll try and talk to him.
8.Changeling: Why?
9.Sickly Man: Looks very suspicious. Unsteady eyes, like he's done something nasty. The kind you can tell is a scoundrel at once. Murmurs something that cannot be understood-threatens to kill somebody. See, he hasn't got the kind of head that honest folk have, either... But he seems more afraid of the Warehouse people than of me. Still, he wouldn't say a word to me.
10.Changeling: Is he seriously injured?
11.Sickly Man: Well, he's carved up a good bit! See how he's clutching his side? So who's been getting playful with a knife? Been a while since anybody got knifed around here... And the other one, the one that crawled away to the cemetery-there wasn't an unbloodied spot on him. This one here was pretty lucky. You could almost say unharmed.
12.Changeling: Unharmed? Far from it. I'll try and talk to him.
2.Changeling: I'm stalking for prey. If you don't need this goon, he'll do for me.
3.Sickly Man: He's not with me! A wounded homeless boy. At first I thought he was another survivor-but he's apparently just wandered in... So I'm thinking, maybe he's one of the rogue lot?
4.Changeling: Where are those robbers?
5.Sickly Man: Over there, next to the cars... Be careful, don't come close! They're wicked good knife-throwers.
6.Changeling: So they stabbed this guttersnipe with a knife?
7.Sickly Man: Well, he's carved up a good bit! See how he's clutching his side? So who's been getting playful with a knife? Been a while since anybody got knifed around here... And the other one, the one that crawled away to the cemetery-there wasn't an unbloodied spot on him. This one here was pretty lucky. You could almost say unharmed.
8.Changeling: Unharmed? Far from it. I'll try and talk to him.
4.Changeling: Why?
5.Sickly Man: Looks very suspicious. Unsteady eyes, like he's done something nasty. The kind you can tell is a scoundrel at once. Murmurs something that cannot be understood-threatens to kill somebody. See, he hasn't got the kind of head that honest folk have, either... But he seems more afraid of the Warehouse people than of me. Still, he wouldn't say a word to me.
6.Changeling: Is he seriously injured?
7.Sickly Man: Well, he's carved up a good bit! See how he's clutching his side? So who's been getting playful with a knife? Been a while since anybody got knifed around here... And the other one, the one that crawled away to the cemetery-there wasn't an unbloodied spot on him. This one here was pretty lucky. You could almost say unharmed.
8.Changeling: Unharmed? Far from it. I'll try and talk to him.
1.Sickly Man: Mind what you're doing, though. Stay alert. Anything can happen.
2.Changeling: No need to worry, faithful man.
2.Changeling: Look at my footprints carefully. You may notice something unusual.
1.Sickly Man: So-you can kill evildoers with a single touch? Truly a godly gift!
2.Changeling: I didn't mean to! I wanted to heal him! I felt sorry for him...
2.Changeling: Serves him right.
3.Sickly Man: Then it must have been the supreme judgement. With you as the judge. Yes... it makes sense. Had he deserved to live, you'd have given him life-right? But the murderer deserved to die, so you dealt him death. Yes... It's much like what the Mistress foretold!
4.Changeling: Who? Katerina?
5.Sickly Man: Yes... She screamed in her sleep a few days ago... Afterwards, her maids were whispering among themselves saying the Mistress had been talking deliriously in her sleep about a harbinger of fate who'd come in the guise of a child... Could that be you?
6.Changeling: Yes. It's me.
6.Changeling: I doubt it...
7.Sickly Man: Don't touch me please, I'm as full of sin as they come... what if that's enough for your touch to kill me? My master would surely be interested, but you were meaning to heal... You had better find somebody else... That's what he sent you here for, right?
8.Changeling: Who? Where do I find a person like that?
9.Sickly Man: Well, how about that one who made a lucky escape from robbers? He survived that massacre and avoided the corpse-eaters, so fate must be favouring him. Bring this one back to life-if you wish to, of course. Will you be able to find him yourself?
10.Changeling: But how?
11.Sickly Man: Those people were wondering if he had crawled away eastwards into the Steppe. He must have been from the Steppe himself, a local, so he'd want to be buried in living earth. If he's still breathing and has made it there, then the cemetery caretaker's daughter must have given him shelter.
12.Changeling: Ah! I know her.
12.Changeling: I'll tell Alexander that you're conscientiously doing your duty.
10.Changeling: Thanks for the advice, faithful man.
4.Changeling: I see you're well informed... I suppose you're religious, faithful man? Do you read mystical and spiritual books?
5.Sickly Man: Don't touch me please, I'm as full of sin as they come... what if that's enough for your touch to kill me? My master would surely be interested, but you were meaning to heal... You had better find somebody else... That's what he sent you here for, right?
6.Changeling: Who? Where do I find a person like that?
7.Sickly Man: Well, how about that one who made a lucky escape from robbers? He survived that massacre and avoided the corpse-eaters, so fate must be favouring him. Bring this one back to life-if you wish to, of course. Will you be able to find him yourself?
8.Changeling: But how?
9.Sickly Man: Those people were wondering if he had crawled away eastwards into the Steppe. He must have been from the Steppe himself, a local, so he'd want to be buried in living earth. If he's still breathing and has made it there, then the cemetery caretaker's daughter must have given him shelter.
10.Changeling: Ah! I know her.
10.Changeling: I'll tell Alexander that you're conscientiously doing your duty.
8.Changeling: Thanks for the advice, faithful man.
1.Tragedian: How small you are, how frail... Will you survive in this horrible world?
2.Changeling: You're talking as if I were a newborn baby.
3.Tragedian: Aren't you? You'll have to be taught to eat, drink, sleep, move around, heal yourself; even to breathe. This place drains your health all too fast; even a seasoned person must stay alert. Not everyone manages to cope.
4.Changeling: Teach me, kindly Mask. How can I stay in good health?
5.Tragedian: We're dying every minute of our lives. Thousands of cells dissolve, melt, burst like bubbles in a froth. You must replenish your strength several times a day. If you allow yourself to be overcome with exhaustion, or your hunger becomes unbearable, you will be dying even faster than usual. And usual is fast enough as it is. It's the air in this place...
6.Changeling: I'm hungry already. Starving, actually!
6.Changeling: I'm so tired, it's as if I've been sleepwalking all night...
7.Tragedian: You can buy food at a shop. If money is a problem, various comestibles can be picked up at residential houses, but those are closed except during an emergency. And should you break into one using a lockpick, be nimble; the inhabitants will defend their property.
8.Changeling: And what if I'm injured?
9.Tragedian: There are pharmacies selling medicine-at no small price, mind you; or you can barter for it with one of the street urchins, who carry it around out of sheer curiosity; or, if you're lucky, you may get away with pinching some from a private home. Be sure not to abuse those substances; they're bad for your system!
10.Changeling: Pinching? As in stealing? Won't they give me some if I ask politely?
11.Tragedian: You can take anything you want at the mansions of those destined for the leading roles in this unfolding drama: such is the custom of hospitality with the local aristocracy and those who try to imitate them.
12.Changeling: What sort of people are they?
13.Tragedian: You will soon learn to spot them among the populace. Their houses stand out. By the way, this is also where you can find a bed to get some replenishing sleep in-provided, of course, that you don't give the owners a reason to shut the door on you.
14.Changeling: Where can I buy useful things around here?
15.Tragedian: You can spot a shop by its sign. They're for selling useless items as well as buying useful ones. And some of the people in the street will gladly barter things they wouldn't sell you for money. There's illicit trade going on at a couple of secret spots-but a lady so young would be wise not to set foot in those dens. Or, for that matter, talk about them.
16.Changeling: So there are things no one would sell me, right?
17.Tragedian: Should your reputation-on the importance of which my surly colleague has been meaning to speak to you-sink so low as to lose you the trust of even the most desperately reckless (which describes all merchants), you won't be able to buy even the most harmless of articles. But reputation can be restored.
18.Changeling: What else can you teach me?
19.Tragedian: Essentially, this is it for now. Don't forget to stop by the caretaker's lodge. Awaiting you there is Katerina, who will be a better mentor and support than myself in these difficult first days. You're lucky to have her on your side-being as she is a Mistress, as well as wife to our ruler, the fearsome Alexander.
20.Changeling: Very lucky indeed!
20.Changeling: Thank you, Mask. I don't need you anymore.
12.Changeling: I know. I know all that already. Goodbye, good soul.
8.Changeling: So what am I to do?
9.Tragedian: You can take anything you want at the mansions of those destined for the leading roles in this unfolding drama: such is the custom of hospitality with the local aristocracy and those who try to imitate them.
10.Changeling: What sort of people are they?
11.Tragedian: You will soon learn to spot them among the populace. Their houses stand out. By the way, this is also where you can find a bed to get some replenishing sleep in-provided, of course, that you don't give the owners a reason to shut the door on you.
12.Changeling: Where can I buy useful things around here?
13.Tragedian: You can spot a shop by its sign. They're for selling useless items as well as buying useful ones. And some of the people in the street will gladly barter things they wouldn't sell you for money. There's illicit trade going on at a couple of secret spots-but a lady so young would be wise not to set foot in those dens. Or, for that matter, talk about them.
14.Changeling: So there are things no one would sell me, right?
15.Tragedian: Should your reputation-on the importance of which my surly colleague has been meaning to speak to you-sink so low as to lose you the trust of even the most desperately reckless (which describes all merchants), you won't be able to buy even the most harmless of articles. But reputation can be restored.
16.Changeling: What else can you teach me?
17.Tragedian: Essentially, this is it for now. Don't forget to stop by the caretaker's lodge. Awaiting you there is Katerina, who will be a better mentor and support than myself in these difficult first days. You're lucky to have her on your side-being as she is a Mistress, as well as wife to our ruler, the fearsome Alexander.
18.Changeling: Very lucky indeed!
18.Changeling: Thank you, Mask. I don't need you anymore.
10.Changeling: I know. I know all that already. Goodbye, good soul.
4.Changeling: I don't need your advice. I think I'm familiar with eating. You open your mouth and go 'nom.'
2.Changeling: What happened to your face?
3.Tragedian: How can you say something like that? You haven't seen my face, it's behind the mask! Nor can I see your true face...
4.Changeling: You can't see my face? As if I were wearing a mask too? That's funny. Is there anything you wanted to tell me?
5.Tragedian: Aren't you? You'll have to be taught to eat, drink, sleep, move around, heal yourself; even to breathe. This place drains your health all too fast; even a seasoned person must stay alert. Not everyone manages to cope.
6.Changeling: Teach me, kindly Mask. How can I stay in good health?
7.Tragedian: We're dying every minute of our lives. Thousands of cells dissolve, melt, burst like bubbles in a froth. You must replenish your strength several times a day. If you allow yourself to be overcome with exhaustion, or your hunger becomes unbearable, you will be dying even faster than usual. And usual is fast enough as it is. It's the air in this place...
8.Changeling: I'm hungry already. Starving, actually!
8.Changeling: I'm so tired, it's as if I've been sleepwalking all night...
9.Tragedian: You can buy food at a shop. If money is a problem, various comestibles can be picked up at residential houses, but those are closed except during an emergency. And should you break into one using a lockpick, be nimble; the inhabitants will defend their property.
10.Changeling: And what if I'm injured?
11.Tragedian: There are pharmacies selling medicine-at no small price, mind you; or you can barter for it with one of the street urchins, who carry it around out of sheer curiosity; or, if you're lucky, you may get away with pinching some from a private home. Be sure not to abuse those substances; they're bad for your system!
12.Changeling: Pinching? As in stealing? Won't they give me some if I ask politely?
13.Tragedian: You can take anything you want at the mansions of those destined for the leading roles in this unfolding drama: such is the custom of hospitality with the local aristocracy and those who try to imitate them.
14.Changeling: What sort of people are they?
15.Tragedian: You will soon learn to spot them among the populace. Their houses stand out. By the way, this is also where you can find a bed to get some replenishing sleep in-provided, of course, that you don't give the owners a reason to shut the door on you.
16.Changeling: Where can I buy useful things around here?
17.Tragedian: You can spot a shop by its sign. They're for selling useless items as well as buying useful ones. And some of the people in the street will gladly barter things they wouldn't sell you for money. There's illicit trade going on at a couple of secret spots-but a lady so young would be wise not to set foot in those dens. Or, for that matter, talk about them.
18.Changeling: So there are things no one would sell me, right?
19.Tragedian: Should your reputation-on the importance of which my surly colleague has been meaning to speak to you-sink so low as to lose you the trust of even the most desperately reckless (which describes all merchants), you won't be able to buy even the most harmless of articles. But reputation can be restored.
20.Changeling: What else can you teach me?
21.Tragedian: Essentially, this is it for now. Don't forget to stop by the caretaker's lodge. Awaiting you there is Katerina, who will be a better mentor and support than myself in these difficult first days. You're lucky to have her on your side-being as she is a Mistress, as well as wife to our ruler, the fearsome Alexander.
22.Changeling: Very lucky indeed!
22.Changeling: Thank you, Mask. I don't need you anymore.
14.Changeling: I know. I know all that already. Goodbye, good soul.
10.Changeling: So what am I to do?
11.Tragedian: You can take anything you want at the mansions of those destined for the leading roles in this unfolding drama: such is the custom of hospitality with the local aristocracy and those who try to imitate them.
12.Changeling: What sort of people are they?
13.Tragedian: You will soon learn to spot them among the populace. Their houses stand out. By the way, this is also where you can find a bed to get some replenishing sleep in-provided, of course, that you don't give the owners a reason to shut the door on you.
14.Changeling: Where can I buy useful things around here?
15.Tragedian: You can spot a shop by its sign. They're for selling useless items as well as buying useful ones. And some of the people in the street will gladly barter things they wouldn't sell you for money. There's illicit trade going on at a couple of secret spots-but a lady so young would be wise not to set foot in those dens. Or, for that matter, talk about them.
16.Changeling: So there are things no one would sell me, right?
17.Tragedian: Should your reputation-on the importance of which my surly colleague has been meaning to speak to you-sink so low as to lose you the trust of even the most desperately reckless (which describes all merchants), you won't be able to buy even the most harmless of articles. But reputation can be restored.
18.Changeling: What else can you teach me?
19.Tragedian: Essentially, this is it for now. Don't forget to stop by the caretaker's lodge. Awaiting you there is Katerina, who will be a better mentor and support than myself in these difficult first days. You're lucky to have her on your side-being as she is a Mistress, as well as wife to our ruler, the fearsome Alexander.
20.Changeling: Very lucky indeed!
20.Changeling: Thank you, Mask. I don't need you anymore.
12.Changeling: I know. I know all that already. Goodbye, good soul.
6.Changeling: I don't need your advice. I think I'm familiar with eating. You open your mouth and go 'nom.'
1.Young Man: What unearthly apparition is this?
2.Changeling: That's the correct term. Lucky you. You will live, I promise you.
2.Changeling: I'm a harbinger.
3.Young Man: And why would you wander into a gloomy place like this one? You can see people have got nothing to do here.
4.Changeling: And yet you're stuck here for some reason. Have you been here long?
4.Changeling: Are you sure you're not a disease carrier, my dear?
5.Young Man: 'I'm doing a civic duty here. My name is the Harpist, and I furnish the house of the living. For now, I'm just watching. Look what happens when living matter comes into contact with these infectious miasma.
6.Changeling: I know very well what happens. Let's go. Lara's worried about you.
6.Changeling: So what is it that happens?
7.Young Man: Everything fades, flakes, and is discoloured.
8.Changeling: Go home, Harpist. Lara is worried about you.
8.Changeling: And that, it seems, is precisely what's beginning to happen to you...
1.Tot: What are you doing walking around in here? Don't you see there's danger on all sides?
2.Changeling: And what are you doing here?
2.Changeling: I'm not afraid. I can't get infected.
3.Tot: There's a shmowder I want to test. If you fall ill and swallow it, chances are you'll be cured. But I've got to check that first. See, I'm running a real clinical test here!
4.Changeling: Give it to me, kid... And run from here. Quickly.
4.Changeling: Attaboy! Good luck to you then.
1.Barley: 'N who would this lil' creature here be? Wanna get a bob-or a ponytail? Want me to saw you up in half with my razor too-or shall I just squash you with my nail? Huh?
2.Changeling: I've come to warn you! I have a very important message!
3.Barley: I'm gonna count to three now. If you manage to surprise me, you'll live. If you don't, you won't. Duh. One. Two...
4.Changeling: Do you hear that noise from the corner behind you? Guess who's hiding there!
4.Changeling: Ow! Don't do that...
2.Changeling: You have no idea who you're talking to, slob. I am death.
3.Barley: Haw! Haw! Haw! Death of what? Cockroaches? Go ahead, then, take some. You're too funny...
4.Changeling: No, not cockroaches-unless you're a cockroach. Listen to me before it's too late.
5.Barley: I'm gonna count to three now. If you manage to surprise me, you'll live. If you don't, you won't. Duh. One. Two...
6.Changeling: Do you hear that noise from the corner behind you? Guess who's hiding there!
6.Changeling: Ow! Don't do that...
4.Changeling: Never mind me, I'll be out in a moment.
1.Mugger: You ain't getting in!
2.Changeling: Look, you are ill... Put your sharp knife away and I'll help you.
3.Mugger: Oh... I've heard about you... You can heal with your hands. So go ahead, but be careful...
4.Changeling: Keep calm!
2.Changeling: Hush! Be quiet!
1.Executor: What do you want, little girl?
2.Changeling: I'm looking for Mark Immortell. I want to talk to him.
3.Executor: Mark is not here anymore. And I don't think he's coming back.
4.Changeling: Where is he then? Where? Don't keep me waiting!
5.Executor: He may have gone to seek justice from the rulers... Will he find it? Or he may have found shelter with some good friends... But are they really his friends? Time will tell, my child... time will tell. And you-go and live your life. While you still can.
6.Changeling: Here, have a coin. Do something for the sick.
6.Changeling: Oh no... Tell me I don't have to go there again! Why is he so careless about choosing his friends?
2.Changeling: And who are you?
3.Executor: I've been posted here on the Bachelor's orders! I am an Executor, and I oversee the hospital. You are not allowed to go inside. Do you hear those horrendous screams? It's the agony of the incurable.
4.Changeling: Where is the owner of the Theatre? Is he dead?
5.Executor: Mark is not here anymore. And I don't think he's coming back.
6.Changeling: Where is he then? Where? Don't keep me waiting!
7.Executor: He may have gone to seek justice from the rulers... Will he find it? Or he may have found shelter with some good friends... But are they really his friends? Time will tell, my child... time will tell. And you-go and live your life. While you still can.
8.Changeling: Here, have a coin. Do something for the sick.
8.Changeling: Oh no... Tell me I don't have to go there again! Why is he so careless about choosing his friends?
4.Changeling: You're lying; I can't hear a thing. It's empty and silent, as it always is.
5.Executor: It may be empty now... but the Bachelor will see to it that it will soon be just as I've described, I promise you that. I for one can hear the screaming already. Don't know about you...
6.Changeling: I've always said that this Bachelor is a bringer of death!
6.Changeling: So can I! I always know more than you do.
7.Executor: May be, may well be...
8.Changeling: Call for Mark. I need to talk to him.
9.Executor: Mark is not here anymore. And I don't think he's coming back.
10.Changeling: Where is he then? Where? Don't keep me waiting!
11.Executor: He may have gone to seek justice from the rulers... Will he find it? Or he may have found shelter with some good friends... But are they really his friends? Time will tell, my child... time will tell. And you-go and live your life. While you still can.
12.Changeling: Here, have a coin. Do something for the sick.
12.Changeling: Oh no... Tell me I don't have to go there again! Why is he so careless about choosing his friends?
1.Executor: From one gate to the other, so daring and brave... man's life is a path from cradle to grave. Heh heh.
2.Changeling: You try and say that to me again...
2.Changeling: Earlobe and eyelid, Mask. Let me through.
3.Executor: Go in then... Look at her, not scared at all! The cute little thing...
4.Changeling: Careful with that talon!
1.Rat Prophet: Greetings, plague dear! Wait just a bit more, we're almost done embellishing your throne. The very heart of the town shall become the temple of the pest. You'll have the world at your feet soon.
2.Changeling: ...Plague? Me?
3.Rat Prophet: Well, that is your nature.
4.Changeling: That's not true!
5.Rat Prophet: All this time, none other but you have been the disease personified-the tool for the world to restore the balance with. All this time, there have been no sister. All this time, Clara has been chasing herself around, confounded by Katerina's visions becoming true.
6.Changeling: What about Katerina? Did she really start it all for your sake?
7.Rat Prophet: She needs to chill. Whatever happens, my favourite person in the town will never be denied my favours... Feel free to come over too, Lady Plague. And tell Katerina to just forget about Mark: he's hopeless; there's no converting him. That would be pointless anyway. You'll crush him yourself in the end.
8.Changeling: It's all just a game for you! How dare you!
9.Rat Prophet: In the end, you'll be surprised to find out that everything that you've heard, every single thing, was the honest truth-even the seemingly contradictory things.
10.Changeling: You are Satan! I want nothing to do with you...
10.Changeling: I'll drop by again later... for more sage advice.
6.Changeling: I don't believe you... Prove that you're telling the truth!
7.Rat Prophet: Oh, just rejoice, will you? Your actions have attracted the attention of the almighty Powers That Be. Do you know what they want from you? They'll send you a note today. Forget your silly little tricks; now your only chance to prove you are not the plague is to perform a genuine miracle.
8.Changeling: You're lying. I've already performed many miracles.
9.Rat Prophet: And killed just as many people with your miraculous hands. No one knows what you are. No, you need a miracle on a grand scale. Something all-encompassing. Something to shape the world. Make it happen-and boom!-we'll believe you. And I'm not talking about those gnarly... angulous... freaks. Their pseudo-lives are of absolutely no importance.
10.Changeling: It's all just a game for you! How dare you!
11.Rat Prophet: In the end, you'll be surprised to find out that everything that you've heard, every single thing, was the honest truth-even the seemingly contradictory things.
12.Changeling: You are Satan! I want nothing to do with you...
12.Changeling: I'll drop by again later... for more sage advice.
8.Changeling: So the Powers That Be will tell me what to do?
9.Rat Prophet: Think twice before doing as they tell you, though. Those guys are a bunch of little liars.
10.Changeling: It's all just a game for you! How dare you!
11.Rat Prophet: In the end, you'll be surprised to find out that everything that you've heard, every single thing, was the honest truth-even the seemingly contradictory things.
12.Changeling: You are Satan! I want nothing to do with you...
12.Changeling: I'll drop by again later... for more sage advice.
4.Changeling: It would seem that you're right... And what is your nature, prophet?
5.Rat Prophet: I'm leaving-gotta lay low for a while. See you underground. And I'll always be glad to see you-you of all people should know I'm not at all as mendacious as my jealous detractors are making me look! You'll always be my welcome guest...
6.Changeling: Do you really trust me so much?
7.Rat Prophet: Oh, just rejoice, will you? Your actions have attracted the attention of the almighty Powers That Be. Do you know what they want from you? They'll send you a note today. Forget your silly little tricks; now your only chance to prove you are not the plague is to perform a genuine miracle.
8.Changeling: You're lying. I've already performed many miracles.
9.Rat Prophet: And killed just as many people with your miraculous hands. No one knows what you are. No, you need a miracle on a grand scale. Something all-encompassing. Something to shape the world. Make it happen-and boom!-we'll believe you. And I'm not talking about those gnarly... angulous... freaks. Their pseudo-lives are of absolutely no importance.
10.Changeling: It's all just a game for you! How dare you!
11.Rat Prophet: In the end, you'll be surprised to find out that everything that you've heard, every single thing, was the honest truth-even the seemingly contradictory things.
12.Changeling: You are Satan! I want nothing to do with you...
12.Changeling: I'll drop by again later... for more sage advice.
8.Changeling: So the Powers That Be will tell me what to do?
9.Rat Prophet: Think twice before doing as they tell you, though. Those guys are a bunch of little liars.
10.Changeling: It's all just a game for you! How dare you!
11.Rat Prophet: In the end, you'll be surprised to find out that everything that you've heard, every single thing, was the honest truth-even the seemingly contradictory things.
12.Changeling: You are Satan! I want nothing to do with you...
12.Changeling: I'll drop by again later... for more sage advice.
2.Changeling: I see your mendacity with my own eyes now.
3.Rat Prophet: All this time, none other but you have been the disease personified-the tool for the world to restore the balance with. All this time, there have been no sister. All this time, Clara has been chasing herself around, confounded by Katerina's visions becoming true.
4.Changeling: What about Katerina? Did she really start it all for your sake?
5.Rat Prophet: She needs to chill. Whatever happens, my favourite person in the town will never be denied my favours... Feel free to come over too, Lady Plague. And tell Katerina to just forget about Mark: he's hopeless; there's no converting him. That would be pointless anyway. You'll crush him yourself in the end.
6.Changeling: It's all just a game for you! How dare you!
7.Rat Prophet: In the end, you'll be surprised to find out that everything that you've heard, every single thing, was the honest truth-even the seemingly contradictory things.
8.Changeling: You are Satan! I want nothing to do with you...
8.Changeling: I'll drop by again later... for more sage advice.
4.Changeling: I don't believe you... Prove that you're telling the truth!
5.Rat Prophet: Oh, just rejoice, will you? Your actions have attracted the attention of the almighty Powers That Be. Do you know what they want from you? They'll send you a note today. Forget your silly little tricks; now your only chance to prove you are not the plague is to perform a genuine miracle.
6.Changeling: You're lying. I've already performed many miracles.
7.Rat Prophet: And killed just as many people with your miraculous hands. No one knows what you are. No, you need a miracle on a grand scale. Something all-encompassing. Something to shape the world. Make it happen-and boom!-we'll believe you. And I'm not talking about those gnarly... angulous... freaks. Their pseudo-lives are of absolutely no importance.
8.Changeling: It's all just a game for you! How dare you!
9.Rat Prophet: In the end, you'll be surprised to find out that everything that you've heard, every single thing, was the honest truth-even the seemingly contradictory things.
10.Changeling: You are Satan! I want nothing to do with you...
10.Changeling: I'll drop by again later... for more sage advice.
6.Changeling: So the Powers That Be will tell me what to do?
7.Rat Prophet: Think twice before doing as they tell you, though. Those guys are a bunch of little liars.
8.Changeling: It's all just a game for you! How dare you!
9.Rat Prophet: In the end, you'll be surprised to find out that everything that you've heard, every single thing, was the honest truth-even the seemingly contradictory things.
10.Changeling: You are Satan! I want nothing to do with you...
10.Changeling: I'll drop by again later... for more sage advice.
1.Rat Prophet: Don't go just yet... Stay here a while, look at the way things used to be. You'll never see a theatre like this again...
2.Changeling: Farewell. I'll have nothing to do with you!
2.Changeling: A petty rat who thinks itself a puppetmaster... I'll yet see a theatre purer than you're even capable of imagining!
1.Sickly Man: Only green twyrine left. We're out of black, and a shipment marsh is due in the evening.
2.Changeling: Where's Andrey?
3.Sickly Man: Alexander is conducting mass arrests. Master Andrey has gone into hiding, in case we get raided. And a good call it was too. He was barely gone when patrolmen showed up looking for him.
4.Changeling: Where is he?
5.Sickly Man: No one knows. I suppose he'll return as soon as Alexander stops hounding him. Then I'll tell him there was a young lady looking for him.
6.Changeling: I'll talk to Alexander.
2.Changeling: Green's good enough.
2.Changeling: What, no smoky or copper either?
1.Albino: There you are... There you are, little one... So tiny... That's because earth was in short supply... Do you know who you are?
2.Changeling: ...Who are you? Better start out by telling me who you are!
3.Albino: I am a spirit of the earth. Your brother. The Steppe bore us on the same day.
4.Changeling: What's that supposed to mean?
5.Albino: You were born only a few days ago... You remember all that the Earth remembers... You have lied about your sister-but don't you know you cannot lie? Your sister is real now... But which of you is which? That is the question...
6.Changeling: Is it true that I'm the disease?
6.Changeling: I can work miracles. I can't have been conceived by spite.
7.Albino: ...I can't tell. Your nature is still unclear... That's also what's making the earth unstable... you're lacking oneness... you are the void through which everything is collapsing... the firmament is no longer firm...
8.Changeling: How can I find my sister?
9.Albino: She'll find you. Be honest. You don't need to know the truth. You have the power to make any lie true.
10.Changeling: And who are you anyway?
11.Albino: You'll find out later, if I don't get killed... Be careful. There'll be a hunt for you tomorrow... Everyone will turn against you; your protectors will disown you... Use these last hours to find provisions and shelter... And tomorrow, do whatever you're asked to do, if you want to survive.
12.Changeling: I don't believe you. You're a mendacious spirit, just like the Rat Prophet! That one was a spawn of the earth too. You're saying this in order to destroy me.
13.Albino: You don't have to believe me if you don't want to. But if everything I've said comes true, spare a kind memory for me... You are flesh of my flesh, and I love you, even though you and I are only a few days old...
14.Changeling: How can you be a few days old if Sticky's been trying to track you down for years? You're lying.
15.Albino: Forget years: the town itself is barely a month old. Farewell. Remember me...
16.Changeling: That's impossible...
16.Changeling: Farewell... funny man...
14.Changeling: Lies-lies are the true infection devouring everything around! I understand that now...
15.Albino: ...Do you understand now why everything hinges on you? Remember what I've told you...
16.Changeling: No. I still don't understand...
16.Changeling: I do.
12.Changeling: All right. I'll do everything...
8.Changeling: The cemetery caretaker's daughter said you were in danger. Why?
9.Albino: Because you are in danger...
10.Changeling: What's the danger?
11.Albino: You'll find out later, if I don't get killed... Be careful. There'll be a hunt for you tomorrow... Everyone will turn against you; your protectors will disown you... Use these last hours to find provisions and shelter... And tomorrow, do whatever you're asked to do, if you want to survive.
12.Changeling: I don't believe you. You're a mendacious spirit, just like the Rat Prophet! That one was a spawn of the earth too. You're saying this in order to destroy me.
13.Albino: You don't have to believe me if you don't want to. But if everything I've said comes true, spare a kind memory for me... You are flesh of my flesh, and I love you, even though you and I are only a few days old...
14.Changeling: How can you be a few days old if Sticky's been trying to track you down for years? You're lying.
15.Albino: Forget years: the town itself is barely a month old. Farewell. Remember me...
16.Changeling: That's impossible...
16.Changeling: Farewell... funny man...
14.Changeling: Lies-lies are the true infection devouring everything around! I understand that now...
15.Albino: ...Do you understand now why everything hinges on you? Remember what I've told you...
16.Changeling: No. I still don't understand...
16.Changeling: I do.
12.Changeling: All right. I'll do everything...
4.Changeling: ...Are you the shabnak-adyr?
5.Albino: No... Who says 'shabnak-adyr'? You're saying it wrong... you have to say 'shabnak-adyg'-there's less evil this way.
6.Changeling: You haven't answered my question.
7.Albino: I was made from your leftovers... I was made for you... I am you... I exist so you could see things clearer...
8.Changeling: Are you making fun of me?
9.Albino: You were born only a few days ago... You remember all that the Earth remembers... You have lied about your sister-but don't you know you cannot lie? Your sister is real now... But which of you is which? That is the question...
10.Changeling: Is it true that I'm the disease?
10.Changeling: I can work miracles. I can't have been conceived by spite.
11.Albino: ...I can't tell. Your nature is still unclear... That's also what's making the earth unstable... you're lacking oneness... you are the void through which everything is collapsing... the firmament is no longer firm...
12.Changeling: How can I find my sister?
13.Albino: She'll find you. Be honest. You don't need to know the truth. You have the power to make any lie true.
14.Changeling: And who are you anyway?
15.Albino: You'll find out later, if I don't get killed... Be careful. There'll be a hunt for you tomorrow... Everyone will turn against you; your protectors will disown you... Use these last hours to find provisions and shelter... And tomorrow, do whatever you're asked to do, if you want to survive.
16.Changeling: I don't believe you. You're a mendacious spirit, just like the Rat Prophet! That one was a spawn of the earth too. You're saying this in order to destroy me.
17.Albino: You don't have to believe me if you don't want to. But if everything I've said comes true, spare a kind memory for me... You are flesh of my flesh, and I love you, even though you and I are only a few days old...
18.Changeling: How can you be a few days old if Sticky's been trying to track you down for years? You're lying.
19.Albino: Forget years: the town itself is barely a month old. Farewell. Remember me...
20.Changeling: That's impossible...
20.Changeling: Farewell... funny man...
18.Changeling: Lies-lies are the true infection devouring everything around! I understand that now...
19.Albino: ...Do you understand now why everything hinges on you? Remember what I've told you...
20.Changeling: No. I still don't understand...
20.Changeling: I do.
16.Changeling: All right. I'll do everything...
12.Changeling: The cemetery caretaker's daughter said you were in danger. Why?
13.Albino: Because you are in danger...
14.Changeling: What's the danger?
15.Albino: You'll find out later, if I don't get killed... Be careful. There'll be a hunt for you tomorrow... Everyone will turn against you; your protectors will disown you... Use these last hours to find provisions and shelter... And tomorrow, do whatever you're asked to do, if you want to survive.
16.Changeling: I don't believe you. You're a mendacious spirit, just like the Rat Prophet! That one was a spawn of the earth too. You're saying this in order to destroy me.
17.Albino: You don't have to believe me if you don't want to. But if everything I've said comes true, spare a kind memory for me... You are flesh of my flesh, and I love you, even though you and I are only a few days old...
18.Changeling: How can you be a few days old if Sticky's been trying to track you down for years? You're lying.
19.Albino: Forget years: the town itself is barely a month old. Farewell. Remember me...
20.Changeling: That's impossible...
20.Changeling: Farewell... funny man...
18.Changeling: Lies-lies are the true infection devouring everything around! I understand that now...
19.Albino: ...Do you understand now why everything hinges on you? Remember what I've told you...
20.Changeling: No. I still don't understand...
20.Changeling: I do.
16.Changeling: All right. I'll do everything...
8.Changeling: Tell me... is it true that I'm the plague-spreader?
9.Albino: ...I can't tell. Your nature is still unclear... That's also what's making the earth unstable... you're lacking oneness... you are the void through which everything is collapsing... the firmament is no longer firm...
10.Changeling: How can I find my sister?
11.Albino: She'll find you. Be honest. You don't need to know the truth. You have the power to make any lie true.
12.Changeling: And who are you anyway?
13.Albino: You'll find out later, if I don't get killed... Be careful. There'll be a hunt for you tomorrow... Everyone will turn against you; your protectors will disown you... Use these last hours to find provisions and shelter... And tomorrow, do whatever you're asked to do, if you want to survive.
14.Changeling: I don't believe you. You're a mendacious spirit, just like the Rat Prophet! That one was a spawn of the earth too. You're saying this in order to destroy me.
15.Albino: You don't have to believe me if you don't want to. But if everything I've said comes true, spare a kind memory for me... You are flesh of my flesh, and I love you, even though you and I are only a few days old...
16.Changeling: How can you be a few days old if Sticky's been trying to track you down for years? You're lying.
17.Albino: Forget years: the town itself is barely a month old. Farewell. Remember me...
18.Changeling: That's impossible...
18.Changeling: Farewell... funny man...
16.Changeling: Lies-lies are the true infection devouring everything around! I understand that now...
17.Albino: ...Do you understand now why everything hinges on you? Remember what I've told you...
18.Changeling: No. I still don't understand...
18.Changeling: I do.
14.Changeling: All right. I'll do everything...
10.Changeling: The cemetery caretaker's daughter said you were in danger. Why?
11.Albino: Because you are in danger...
12.Changeling: What's the danger?
13.Albino: You'll find out later, if I don't get killed... Be careful. There'll be a hunt for you tomorrow... Everyone will turn against you; your protectors will disown you... Use these last hours to find provisions and shelter... And tomorrow, do whatever you're asked to do, if you want to survive.
14.Changeling: I don't believe you. You're a mendacious spirit, just like the Rat Prophet! That one was a spawn of the earth too. You're saying this in order to destroy me.
15.Albino: You don't have to believe me if you don't want to. But if everything I've said comes true, spare a kind memory for me... You are flesh of my flesh, and I love you, even though you and I are only a few days old...
16.Changeling: How can you be a few days old if Sticky's been trying to track you down for years? You're lying.
17.Albino: Forget years: the town itself is barely a month old. Farewell. Remember me...
18.Changeling: That's impossible...
18.Changeling: Farewell... funny man...
16.Changeling: Lies-lies are the true infection devouring everything around! I understand that now...
17.Albino: ...Do you understand now why everything hinges on you? Remember what I've told you...
18.Changeling: No. I still don't understand...
18.Changeling: I do.
14.Changeling: All right. I'll do everything...
2.Changeling: No. I don't. Who am I?
3.Albino: You were born only a few days ago... You remember all that the Earth remembers... You have lied about your sister-but don't you know you cannot lie? Your sister is real now... But which of you is which? That is the question...
4.Changeling: Is it true that I'm the disease?
4.Changeling: I can work miracles. I can't have been conceived by spite.
5.Albino: ...I can't tell. Your nature is still unclear... That's also what's making the earth unstable... you're lacking oneness... you are the void through which everything is collapsing... the firmament is no longer firm...
6.Changeling: How can I find my sister?
7.Albino: She'll find you. Be honest. You don't need to know the truth. You have the power to make any lie true.
8.Changeling: And who are you anyway?
9.Albino: You'll find out later, if I don't get killed... Be careful. There'll be a hunt for you tomorrow... Everyone will turn against you; your protectors will disown you... Use these last hours to find provisions and shelter... And tomorrow, do whatever you're asked to do, if you want to survive.
10.Changeling: I don't believe you. You're a mendacious spirit, just like the Rat Prophet! That one was a spawn of the earth too. You're saying this in order to destroy me.
11.Albino: You don't have to believe me if you don't want to. But if everything I've said comes true, spare a kind memory for me... You are flesh of my flesh, and I love you, even though you and I are only a few days old...
12.Changeling: How can you be a few days old if Sticky's been trying to track you down for years? You're lying.
13.Albino: Forget years: the town itself is barely a month old. Farewell. Remember me...
14.Changeling: That's impossible...
14.Changeling: Farewell... funny man...
12.Changeling: Lies-lies are the true infection devouring everything around! I understand that now...
13.Albino: ...Do you understand now why everything hinges on you? Remember what I've told you...
14.Changeling: No. I still don't understand...
14.Changeling: I do.
10.Changeling: All right. I'll do everything...
6.Changeling: The cemetery caretaker's daughter said you were in danger. Why?
7.Albino: Because you are in danger...
8.Changeling: What's the danger?
9.Albino: You'll find out later, if I don't get killed... Be careful. There'll be a hunt for you tomorrow... Everyone will turn against you; your protectors will disown you... Use these last hours to find provisions and shelter... And tomorrow, do whatever you're asked to do, if you want to survive.
10.Changeling: I don't believe you. You're a mendacious spirit, just like the Rat Prophet! That one was a spawn of the earth too. You're saying this in order to destroy me.
11.Albino: You don't have to believe me if you don't want to. But if everything I've said comes true, spare a kind memory for me... You are flesh of my flesh, and I love you, even though you and I are only a few days old...
12.Changeling: How can you be a few days old if Sticky's been trying to track you down for years? You're lying.
13.Albino: Forget years: the town itself is barely a month old. Farewell. Remember me...
14.Changeling: That's impossible...
14.Changeling: Farewell... funny man...
12.Changeling: Lies-lies are the true infection devouring everything around! I understand that now...
13.Albino: ...Do you understand now why everything hinges on you? Remember what I've told you...
14.Changeling: No. I still don't understand...
14.Changeling: I do.
10.Changeling: All right. I'll do everything...
2.Changeling: Of course I know. I am Clara, a thief, and possibly God's chosen one. There's no other explanation for the miracles I've performed.
3.Albino: ...I can't tell. Your nature is still unclear... That's also what's making the earth unstable... you're lacking oneness... you are the void through which everything is collapsing... the firmament is no longer firm...
4.Changeling: How can I find my sister?
5.Albino: She'll find you. Be honest. You don't need to know the truth. You have the power to make any lie true.
6.Changeling: And who are you anyway?
7.Albino: You'll find out later, if I don't get killed... Be careful. There'll be a hunt for you tomorrow... Everyone will turn against you; your protectors will disown you... Use these last hours to find provisions and shelter... And tomorrow, do whatever you're asked to do, if you want to survive.
8.Changeling: I don't believe you. You're a mendacious spirit, just like the Rat Prophet! That one was a spawn of the earth too. You're saying this in order to destroy me.
9.Albino: You don't have to believe me if you don't want to. But if everything I've said comes true, spare a kind memory for me... You are flesh of my flesh, and I love you, even though you and I are only a few days old...
10.Changeling: How can you be a few days old if Sticky's been trying to track you down for years? You're lying.
11.Albino: Forget years: the town itself is barely a month old. Farewell. Remember me...
12.Changeling: That's impossible...
12.Changeling: Farewell... funny man...
10.Changeling: Lies-lies are the true infection devouring everything around! I understand that now...
11.Albino: ...Do you understand now why everything hinges on you? Remember what I've told you...
12.Changeling: No. I still don't understand...
12.Changeling: I do.
8.Changeling: All right. I'll do everything...
4.Changeling: The cemetery caretaker's daughter said you were in danger. Why?
5.Albino: Because you are in danger...
6.Changeling: What's the danger?
7.Albino: You'll find out later, if I don't get killed... Be careful. There'll be a hunt for you tomorrow... Everyone will turn against you; your protectors will disown you... Use these last hours to find provisions and shelter... And tomorrow, do whatever you're asked to do, if you want to survive.
8.Changeling: I don't believe you. You're a mendacious spirit, just like the Rat Prophet! That one was a spawn of the earth too. You're saying this in order to destroy me.
9.Albino: You don't have to believe me if you don't want to. But if everything I've said comes true, spare a kind memory for me... You are flesh of my flesh, and I love you, even though you and I are only a few days old...
10.Changeling: How can you be a few days old if Sticky's been trying to track you down for years? You're lying.
11.Albino: Forget years: the town itself is barely a month old. Farewell. Remember me...
12.Changeling: That's impossible...
12.Changeling: Farewell... funny man...
10.Changeling: Lies-lies are the true infection devouring everything around! I understand that now...
11.Albino: ...Do you understand now why everything hinges on you? Remember what I've told you...
12.Changeling: No. I still don't understand...
12.Changeling: I do.
8.Changeling: All right. I'll do everything...
1.Girl: Who is here? Who have they brought this time? Ah, it's the holy girl, sweet Clara, the harbinger... Why would they put you of all people in here? You can't get the disease... Do give us your blessings and kisses...
2.Changeling: No, no! Don't do that! Take good care of yourselves-and don't touch me!
2.Changeling: Give me your hands, let me touch you... And you, and you, and you too... There, there, no need to be afraid... Nothing more will happen...
1.Patrolman: You from an infected area? This place's been quarantined; here's the rules: twelve hours indoors, regardless of time elapsed since leaving an infected quarter. We mark the time of your entrance. If you see someone inside with signs of illness, knock at once. Do not approach the infected person until they are escorted out by Executors.
2.Changeling: No, no... I'm just a messenger. Do you perhaps need anything?
3.Patrolman: Frankly, we could use some water... There's more people by the hour, and we're running short of spring water... People are thirsty. Have you got water? Bring us some, twenty flasks or so. The least you can do.
4.Changeling: All right, I'll be back with water soon...
2.Changeling: Look, I've brought water... Aren't you thirsty?
3.Patrolman: I'm so grateful to you, girl!
4.Changeling: Look into my eyes. What have you got here? Can I touch?
5.Patrolman: Must be some dirt in my eye, I'm sorry... Or maybe a piece of clay... I need to rub my eyes... Where are you?
6.Changeling: You don't see me. You haven't seen anyone. And you haven't heard my voice...
7.Patrolman: What is this? The clay in my eyes won't go... Hey, who goes there? Who are you?
8.Changeling: Don't worry, it will be all right... Let me through.
2.Changeling: No, no! I was just passing by.
2.Changeling: You don't see me, watchful guard. And my voice is your own fancy. It's coming from within...
1.Patrolman: You from an infected area? This place's been quarantined; here's the rules: twelve hours indoors, regardless of time elapsed since leaving an infected quarter. We mark the time of your entrance. If you see someone inside with signs of illness, knock at once. Do not approach the infected person until they are escorted out by Executors.
2.Changeling: No, no... I'm just a messenger. Do you perhaps need anything?
3.Patrolman: Frankly, we could use some water... There's more people by the hour, and we're running short of spring water... People are thirsty. Have you got water? Bring us some, twenty flasks or so. The least you can do.
4.Changeling: All right, I'll be back with water soon...
2.Changeling: Look, I've brought water... Aren't you thirsty?
3.Patrolman: I'm so grateful to you, girl!
4.Changeling: Look into my eyes. What have you got here? Can I touch?
5.Patrolman: Must be some dirt in my eye, I'm sorry... Or maybe a piece of clay... I need to rub my eyes... Where are you?
6.Changeling: You don't see me. You haven't seen anyone. And you haven't heard my voice...
7.Patrolman: What is this? The clay in my eyes won't go... Hey, who goes there? Who are you?
8.Changeling: Don't worry, it will be all right... Let me through.
2.Changeling: No, no! I was just passing by.
2.Changeling: You don't see me, watchful guard. And my voice is your own fancy. It's coming from within...
1.Girl: Who is here? Who have they brought this time? Ah, it's the holy girl, sweet Clara, the harbinger... Why would they put you of all people in here? You can't get the disease... Do give us your blessings and kisses...
2.Changeling: No, no! Don't do that! Take good care of yourselves-and don't touch me!
2.Changeling: Give me your hands, let me touch you... And you, and you, and you too... There, there, no need to be afraid... Nothing more will happen...
1.Girl: Who is here? Who have they brought this time? Ah, it's the holy girl, sweet Clara, the harbinger... Why would they put you of all people in here? You can't get the disease... Do give us your blessings and kisses...
2.Changeling: No, no! Don't do that! Take good care of yourselves-and don't touch me!
2.Changeling: Give me your hands, let me touch you... And you, and you, and you too... There, there, no need to be afraid... Nothing more will happen...
1.Girl: Who is here? Who have they brought this time? Ah, it's the holy girl, sweet Clara, the harbinger... Why would they put you of all people in here? You can't get the disease... Do give us your blessings and kisses...
2.Changeling: No, no! Don't do that! Take good care of yourselves-and don't touch me!
2.Changeling: Give me your hands, let me touch you... And you, and you, and you too... There, there, no need to be afraid... Nothing more will happen...
1.Girl: Who is here? Who have they brought this time? Ah, it's the holy girl, sweet Clara, the harbinger... Why would they put you of all people in here? You can't get the disease... Do give us your blessings and kisses...
2.Changeling: No, no! Don't do that! Take good care of yourselves-and don't touch me!
2.Changeling: Give me your hands, let me touch you... And you, and you, and you too... There, there, no need to be afraid... Nothing more will happen...
1.Girl: Who is here? Who have they brought this time? Ah, it's the holy girl, sweet Clara, the harbinger... Why would they put you of all people in here? You can't get the disease... Do give us your blessings and kisses...
2.Changeling: No, no! Don't do that! Take good care of yourselves-and don't touch me!
2.Changeling: Give me your hands, let me touch you... And you, and you, and you too... There, there, no need to be afraid... Nothing more will happen...
1.Girl: Who is here? Who have they brought this time? Ah, it's the holy girl, sweet Clara, the harbinger... Why would they put you of all people in here? You can't get the disease... Do give us your blessings and kisses...
2.Changeling: No, no! Don't do that! Take good care of yourselves-and don't touch me!
2.Changeling: Give me your hands, let me touch you... And you, and you, and you too... There, there, no need to be afraid... Nothing more will happen...
1.Albino: We are alike, you and I... And today is the day that blades have crossed over our heads... Never has the end of your path and mine loomed so clearly before... Today those who've risen up against us can win...
2.Changeling: What danger are you in?
2.Changeling: Don't talk to me as if we were on the same side of the battle lines, spawn of the Earth!
3.Albino: The Bachelor will kill me today... I know that, and I'll let him do it... He believes I'm the disease carrier, the shabnak-adyg. There's no escaping him... He is one of the harbingers of the Fall of the World-the one who carries the sharpest sword in his icy hand...
4.Changeling: You're looking at me as if I was able to help you.
4.Changeling: I know, he's a demon... I can sense his otherworldly nature! Is there really no escaping him?
5.Albino: Promise that you'll agree to his plan... then he'll leave you alone... And perhaps me as well... I don't want to go... I feel I could be useful to you yet...
6.Changeling: Yes, I'll agree. I'll surrender to him so that you could stay here with me-a wonderful being, a tiny part of myself...
7.Albino: That is a holy deed, for there is self-sacrifice in it. Holiness and sacrifice are sisters, they are connected... just like you and I.
8.Changeling: You're consoling me. Does that mean you really believe I'm a miracle-worker?
9.Albino: You can become one. But it's all in your hands... The greatest proof of your power is the fact that you can choose your own destiny.
10.Changeling: The Rat Prophet says differently. He claims I'm the plague! I feel he's telling the truth...
11.Albino: Don't cry... He is crafty. He speaks the truth, just like everyone connected to the Earth, but he distorts it... Mistress Katerina's prophesies are like that too.
12.Changeling: Oh, how could my mother do something like that... She has disowned me... Even she has disowned me...
13.Albino: It may be a good thing... Maybe you shouldn't have been with her... Was it your own decision to become her daughter? No... So what are you afraid of? If you want to remain loyal to her, stay; you'll get a chance to show your true devotion to her yet...
14.Changeling: And you-run to the Steppe as quickly as possible! You will escape... I don't want you to go back into the earth that bore you...
14.Changeling: The fury of our persecutors will soon be exhausted! Have patience. For as long as you're here, I too will believe that there's room yet for miracles on this cursed earth!
8.Changeling: My sister... Aren't you her? Aren't you the sister I spoke into existence?
9.Albino: No... But I'll console you.. Your sister is here... she has talked to me a lot.. her and I are alike too, we are one... because she is you... don't be quick to condemn her... she too is dismayed, not knowing who she is... one of you will make her choice, and the other will follow.
10.Changeling: It's all so complicated! I can't understand your allegories! But tell me, I'm the miracle-worker, aren't I-and not her?
10.Changeling: Who is my sister then? Am I not the Mistress of the Earth?
11.Albino: You can become one. But it's all in your hands... The greatest proof of your power is the fact that you can choose your own destiny.
12.Changeling: The Rat Prophet says differently. He claims I'm the plague! I feel he's telling the truth...
13.Albino: Don't cry... He is crafty. He speaks the truth, just like everyone connected to the Earth, but he distorts it... Mistress Katerina's prophesies are like that too.
14.Changeling: Oh, how could my mother do something like that... She has disowned me... Even she has disowned me...
15.Albino: It may be a good thing... Maybe you shouldn't have been with her... Was it your own decision to become her daughter? No... So what are you afraid of? If you want to remain loyal to her, stay; you'll get a chance to show your true devotion to her yet...
16.Changeling: And you-run to the Steppe as quickly as possible! You will escape... I don't want you to go back into the earth that bore you...
16.Changeling: The fury of our persecutors will soon be exhausted! Have patience. For as long as you're here, I too will believe that there's room yet for miracles on this cursed earth!
6.Changeling: No. As the saying goes: you do the dying today, I'll do mine tomorrow.
7.Albino: Pity... pity... but I have no right to ask more of you. All the same, remember you can still change...
8.Changeling: I have nothing in common with you, spawns of the Earth!
8.Changeling: Goodbye, beast. I don't need that.
1.Executor: You again?
2.Changeling: Yes. Me again.
2.Changeling: What do you mean?
2.Changeling: How did you recognize me?
3.Executor: It's simple! No other Executor could approach the Cathedral from that direction at this time. You are the Changeling. But don't you fret, I won't turn you in.
4.Changeling: Can I see the Inquisitor now?
5.Executor: The Inquisitor is conducting an interrogation right now. Torturing the Kain elders. Come after noon. We'll see what comes out of your visit.
6.Changeling: That won't be a long wait.
1.Executor: Come in. But don't expect to get off scot-free, Changeling!
2.Changeling: It's not what I expect at all...
2.Changeling: You'll soon be grovelling at my feet, Executor!
2.Changeling: How did you recognize me?
3.Executor: It's simple! No other Executor could approach the Cathedral from that direction at this time. You are the Changeling. But don't you fret, I won't turn you in.
4.Changeling: Can I see the Inquisitor now?
5.Executor: Come on, come on in... Aren't you afraid?
6.Changeling: I have nothing to be afraid of.
6.Changeling: A little...
1.Executor: Put on your cloak and mask, Changeling, or I won't let you through.
2.Changeling: I'll try.
1.Executor: You again?
2.Changeling: I need to see the Inquisitor.
3.Executor: So you've escaped? Don't tell me they let you walk... The orders were to hang you by the neck until dead.
4.Changeling: What? Who are you talking about?
5.Executor: Weren't you trying to get to the Inquisitor just now? I suppose that didn't turn out well in the slightest. You weren't even allowed to present yourself to her gracious ladyship. Be thankful there's no armed guard around the Cathedral right now. They ran off for a moment... to escort you to the gallows.
6.Changeling: What was I arrested for?
7.Executor: You are being hunted, aren't you? They did, however, get a bit ahead of themselves there... At least they should've announced you to the Inquisitor. Well... the good goons went out of their way to be useful. They had failed to catch the maneater back when they reported to Saburov, so they went for something quick and dirty this time...
8.Changeling: What can I do to keep my cover?
8.Changeling: No door will stop me. No hand will hold me back. See? Now you can convince yourself.
9.Executor: Whatever. Stop pestering me. Although... I reckon the Inquisitor wouldn't mind talking to you-but until you've made your introduction, it's best to remain incognito.
10.Changeling: You know what? Give me your costume!
11.Executor: No... There's no way I'm giving you mine. But I can tell you where to find another one like it. When Executors' cloaks become infected, they get dumped next to the large burial pit in Earth.
12.Changeling: Wait for me.
10.Changeling: Who would know me, Executor? I barely recognize myself anymore...
11.Executor: Off you go, then. Come back when you get a costume. Then we'll quite rightfully pass you for one of us.
12.Changeling: Wait for me.
6.Changeling: That wasn't me.
7.Executor: Yeah, I think I'm prepared to believe that now. But who was it then?
8.Changeling: I need to see the Inquisitor.
9.Executor: Whatever. Stop pestering me. Although... I reckon the Inquisitor wouldn't mind talking to you-but until you've made your introduction, it's best to remain incognito.
10.Changeling: You know what? Give me your costume!
11.Executor: No... There's no way I'm giving you mine. But I can tell you where to find another one like it. When Executors' cloaks become infected, they get dumped next to the large burial pit in Earth.
12.Changeling: Wait for me.
10.Changeling: Who would know me, Executor? I barely recognize myself anymore...
11.Executor: Off you go, then. Come back when you get a costume. Then we'll quite rightfully pass you for one of us.
12.Changeling: Wait for me.
1.Worm: Boddho's vein is getting colder. Mother Suok is covering us with her skin.
2.Changeling: The Bachelor asked me to give this to you. You did want a weapon, right?
3.Worm: Ay. Dunno how to fire it, but it'll be useful anyhow.
4.Changeling: Yes! And may every bullet hit its mark!
4.Changeling: Press the barrel tight against your stomach. Then pull here.
5.Worm: Thank you! Have some blades. Good tight blades they are, see those gnarly white roots, them's the proper stuff. Make yourself some twyrine. Sweet. Thick. Smoky.
6.Changeling: I don't really know if I should...
2.Changeling: Don't despair. Your wife sheds starry tears over you from the sky every night.
2.Changeling: Flesh devours flesh. Pray, Worm.
1.Man: We've heard all manner of things about you...
2.Changeling: I've been sent by Burakh.
3.Man: Who's that?
4.Changeling: Don't you know... The Haruspex.
4.Changeling: A man covered head to toe in blood.
5.Man: Ah! I see. What did he say? It doesn't work out?
6.Changeling: He asked me to give you these vials.
7.Man: So there are still honest people... Not everything is lost in this world, then.
8.Changeling: Yes, it takes all sorts. Goodbye.
6.Changeling: That's exactly what he said. 'It doesn't work out...' In short, he's betrayed you.
2.Changeling: No surprise there.
2.Changeling: Stay away from me, you slob!
1.Tot: Ugh... this is awkward. Well, I suppose we should introduce ourselves. I'm Measly. And she's Thrush.
2.Changeling: How did I get here?
3.Tot: How did you get here? You tell me! Actually this was never supposed to happen. You're meant to be over there-look into the Sandbox. This... must be a miracle. I suppose.
4.Changeling: A miracle...
5.Tot: But you're probably the only one who can do something like that. You can work miracles, right? I keep arguing with this dumbhead here-she says we're playing with you wrong, says you're supposed to kill and not go around saving folks... Naughty you.
6.Changeling: What?
7.Tot: Well... we really didn't put you in that sandbox so that you'd save everyone. But you've been going at it with such vim and vigour, you must really be alive! I guess you really could save everybody. Just imagine how great that would be!
8.Changeling: So you're kind, it turns out...
9.Tot: Of course I am. She's the mean one. Thrush... more like Crush...! All right, all right, I'm shutting up. Hey, no fighting over there! Better see our guest off.
10.Changeling: Yes, I'd rather be going.
11.Tot: Go through the wall. None of this is really there. Just glass that reflects thoughts.
12.Changeling: Thanks...
12.Changeling: Such crazy nonsense...
6.Changeling: How do I get out of here?
7.Tot: Go through the wall. None of this is really there. Just glass that reflects thoughts.
8.Changeling: Thanks...
8.Changeling: Such crazy nonsense...
1.Tot: Just don't listen to the meanie! You're supposed to save them, not kill them.
2.Changeling: I knew as much.
2.Changeling: No, I hate them all already!
1.Teensy: Yikes! Where have you come from? You can't be in here!
2.Changeling: Why not?
3.Teensy: We're playing here-and you should be playing over there. Say, have you killed everybody yet?
4.Changeling: What?
5.Teensy: Those Humble ones of yours. We've been arguing and arguing... He says you're the only one who can save all of the Bound. While I say you're the only one who can kill them all off-and win!
6.Changeling: Who are you?
7.Teensy: My name is Teensy, and he's Tot. But it's better to call him Measly. And me-you can call me Thrush.
8.Changeling: How do you know who I am?
9.Teensy: I'm telling you-we're playing here. See, we're building a town in this sandbox! Now we're playing plague. Look inside. Notice anything?
10.Changeling: I think I'm about to go crazy... And I mean it... Literally...
10.Changeling: I feel sick. I'm going to faint.
8.Changeling: How did I get here?
9.Teensy: We're clueless ourselves... Hey Measly, how did she get here?
10.Changeling: And how did you get here?
11.Teensy: I'm telling you-we're playing here. See, we're building a town in this sandbox! Now we're playing plague. Look inside. Notice anything?
12.Changeling: I think I'm about to go crazy... And I mean it... Literally...
12.Changeling: I feel sick. I'm going to faint.
2.Changeling: What is this place?
3.Teensy: Don't you see? This is the Polyhedron. There are many places like this around, but they're hidden. You weren't supposed to see them.
4.Changeling: And why not?
5.Teensy: We're playing here-and you should be playing over there. Say, have you killed everybody yet?
6.Changeling: What?
7.Teensy: Those Humble ones of yours. We've been arguing and arguing... He says you're the only one who can save all of the Bound. While I say you're the only one who can kill them all off-and win!
8.Changeling: Who are you?
9.Teensy: My name is Teensy, and he's Tot. But it's better to call him Measly. And me-you can call me Thrush.
10.Changeling: How do you know who I am?
11.Teensy: I'm telling you-we're playing here. See, we're building a town in this sandbox! Now we're playing plague. Look inside. Notice anything?
12.Changeling: I think I'm about to go crazy... And I mean it... Literally...
12.Changeling: I feel sick. I'm going to faint.
10.Changeling: How did I get here?
11.Teensy: We're clueless ourselves... Hey Measly, how did she get here?
12.Changeling: And how did you get here?
13.Teensy: I'm telling you-we're playing here. See, we're building a town in this sandbox! Now we're playing plague. Look inside. Notice anything?
14.Changeling: I think I'm about to go crazy... And I mean it... Literally...
14.Changeling: I feel sick. I'm going to faint.
1.Teensy: Go away already! You can't be here.
2.Changeling: A hospitable lot you are...
2.Changeling: I can be anywhere I like.
1.Rat Prophet: Lo and behold... What do you want, Plague?
2.Changeling: Did you see Rubin being brought here?
3.Rat Prophet: I have witnessed quite a few mysterious events... That one was among them. It may have taken place in the future-or maybe the recent past... Which would you choose?
4.Changeling: I choose the past.
4.Changeling: I always choose the future.
5.Rat Prophet: Careful, it may be a bad call... What do you need Rubin for?
6.Changeling: I'm going to decide his fate. As was preordained.
6.Changeling: I need his help.
7.Rat Prophet: Rubin rests underground-and it doesn't seem like he's getting out of there any time soon. Are you sure you want to join him?
8.Changeling: I am.
2.Changeling: Don't get cheeky with me, scum.
2.Changeling: I'm not the Plague!
1.Soldier: Go away. Don't crowd here!
2.Changeling: I must go inside!
3.Soldier: I'd advise against it. Doesn't lend itself well to a long life.
4.Changeling: A prisoner has been brought here recently!
5.Soldier: There are some prisoners inside. But we only let people in upon orders from our commanding officer, Alexander Block.
6.Changeling: I'll be back with a permit!
2.Changeling: I'm leaving.
1.Young Man: I said I wanted to die, didn't I? Enough temptations for me; I don't need a confessor!
2.Changeling: Were you among those who accompanied Rubin?
3.Young Man: Yes. I was.
4.Changeling: How did you get here?
5.Young Man: I was covering the retreat of my comrades. And I'm proud of it.
6.Changeling: Where did they take Rubin? Tell me and I'll get you out of here!
7.Young Man: No, it'll be the other way round. You get me out of here and then I'll tell you. I promise I will.
8.Changeling: You won't get a chance to break that promise! Wait for me.
1.Young Man: You shouldn't breathe prison air for too long...
2.Changeling: It all depends on you and you only.
2.Changeling: Have you been told what the orders are yet? They're letting you go. Speak.
3.Young Man: There's one more place in this town that has sturdy bars on windows. It's in the Works. They used to imprison those Luddite workers there. Superstitious Steppe folk would often sabotage the machines, and... You know the place I'm talking about, right?
4.Changeling: No. Where is it?
5.Young Man: A cellar under the Rolling Mill. Look here, I'll show you.
6.Changeling: Thank you.
4.Changeling: Yes. I'm sure I do.
1.Young Man: I said I wanted to die, didn't I? Enough temptations for me; I don't need a confessor!
2.Changeling: Were you among those who accompanied Rubin?
3.Young Man: Yes. I was.
4.Changeling: How did you get here?
5.Young Man: I was covering the retreat of my comrades. And I'm proud of it.
6.Changeling: Where did they take Rubin? Tell me and I'll get you out of here!
7.Young Man: No, it'll be the other way round. You get me out of here and then I'll tell you. I promise I will.
8.Changeling: You won't get a chance to break that promise! Wait for me.
1.Young Man: You shouldn't breathe prison air for too long...
2.Changeling: It all depends on you and you only.
2.Changeling: Have you been told what the orders are yet? They're letting you go. Speak.
3.Young Man: There's one more place in this town that has sturdy bars on windows. It's in the Works. They used to imprison those Luddite workers there. Superstitious Steppe folk would often sabotage the machines, and... You know the place I'm talking about, right?
4.Changeling: No. Where is it?
5.Young Man: A cellar under the Rolling Mill. Look here, I'll show you.
6.Changeling: Thank you.
4.Changeling: Yes. I'm sure I do.
1.Officer: Move it! Place is closed!
2.Changeling: What happened here?
3.Officer: Move along! Special operation in progress!
4.Changeling: I need to see Andrey, the architect!
5.Officer: The architect has been convicted in a court-martial and executed by firing squad, for armed assault on a patrol guard. Go away, girl!
6.Changeling: ...Where did it happen?
7.Officer: What?
8.Changeling: I mean, where was he taken?
9.Officer: To the cannon, same as everyone else. Now off you go if you know what's good for you!
10.Changeling: Shame on you!
10.Changeling: Say, how about I kiss you?
8.Changeling: No, nothing.
6.Changeling: Oh no... Anything but that!
4.Changeling: Why of course, I can smell its progress on you from three steps away. Wasted in the line of duty, eh?
2.Changeling: About time too...
2.Changeling: Such a pity!
1.Officer: Move it! Place is closed!
2.Changeling: What happened here?
3.Officer: Move along! Special operation in progress!
4.Changeling: I need to see Andrey, the architect!
5.Officer: The architect has been convicted in a court-martial and executed by firing squad, for armed assault on a patrol guard. Go away, girl!
6.Changeling: ...Where did it happen?
7.Officer: What?
8.Changeling: I mean, where was he taken?
9.Officer: To the cannon, same as everyone else. Now off you go if you know what's good for you!
10.Changeling: Shame on you!
10.Changeling: Say, how about I kiss you?
8.Changeling: No, nothing.
6.Changeling: Oh no... Anything but that!
4.Changeling: Why of course, I can smell its progress on you from three steps away. Wasted in the line of duty, eh?
2.Changeling: About time too...
2.Changeling: Such a pity!
1.Officer: Deftly done! I suppose I shouldn't ask too many questions. Thank you. Are you a sister of mercy?
2.Changeling: And I will ask questions! Will you answer them candidly and without prejudice?
3.Officer: I will. Just be quick with them, please.
4.Changeling: I've heard that you executed an architect, Andrey Stamatin. A man in a bright raincoat. Had this big motley handkerchief always hanging out of his pocket.
5.Officer: We haven't executed anyone. It's what the mutineers do. But perhaps they didn't have enough time. They'd been in the middle of an execution and broke it off when we engaged them.
6.Changeling: Do you know who I'm talking about?
7.Officer: I do. I think he was among the survivors. When the fighting had begun, I saw him with this... aide to the Inquisitor. This Bachelor. The architect looked pale and was holding his side. The Bachelor must have walked him home.
8.Changeling: Do you know where that is?
9.Officer: Yes. You're in luck. Just yesterday, I went there to arrest one of them. They're twin brothers, right? The place is over there by the river. Right behind the checkpoint.
10.Changeling: Thank you!
6.Changeling: Why are the mutineers executing townsfolk?
7.Officer: Those of them who aren't busy looting are trying to maintain a semblance of order. Our colonel, who goes by Patrocles, assumed command of them after general Block had been wounded.
8.Changeling: I need to see this architect badly! It's important! Do you know who I'm talking about?
9.Officer: I do. I think he was among the survivors. When the fighting had begun, I saw him with this... aide to the Inquisitor. This Bachelor. The architect looked pale and was holding his side. The Bachelor must have walked him home.
10.Changeling: Do you know where that is?
11.Officer: Yes. You're in luck. Just yesterday, I went there to arrest one of them. They're twin brothers, right? The place is over there by the river. Right behind the checkpoint.
12.Changeling: Thank you!
2.Changeling: Exactly! There's no better way to describe what I do.
3.Officer: You need to leave. You might get killed.
4.Changeling: You must know where your soldiers have been executing disturbers... There was an architect among them, who I need to see.
5.Officer: We haven't executed anyone. It's what the mutineers do. But perhaps they didn't have enough time. They'd been in the middle of an execution and broke it off when we engaged them.
6.Changeling: Do you know who I'm talking about?
7.Officer: I do. I think he was among the survivors. When the fighting had begun, I saw him with this... aide to the Inquisitor. This Bachelor. The architect looked pale and was holding his side. The Bachelor must have walked him home.
8.Changeling: Do you know where that is?
9.Officer: Yes. You're in luck. Just yesterday, I went there to arrest one of them. They're twin brothers, right? The place is over there by the river. Right behind the checkpoint.
10.Changeling: Thank you!
6.Changeling: Why are the mutineers executing townsfolk?
7.Officer: Those of them who aren't busy looting are trying to maintain a semblance of order. Our colonel, who goes by Patrocles, assumed command of them after general Block had been wounded.
8.Changeling: I need to see this architect badly! It's important! Do you know who I'm talking about?
9.Officer: I do. I think he was among the survivors. When the fighting had begun, I saw him with this... aide to the Inquisitor. This Bachelor. The architect looked pale and was holding his side. The Bachelor must have walked him home.
10.Changeling: Do you know where that is?
11.Officer: Yes. You're in luck. Just yesterday, I went there to arrest one of them. They're twin brothers, right? The place is over there by the river. Right behind the checkpoint.
12.Changeling: Thank you!
1.Officer: You ought to take cover.
2.Changeling: You should better leave too.
2.Changeling: Bullets can't kill me. I am immortal.
1.Soldier: Who are you? Are you here on an errand?
2.Changeling: No! I'm Clara. I heal people.
2.Changeling: Yes. I'm here on an errand.
3.Soldier: Listen, we have a wounded officer. They've taken cover behind those boulders over there, but he's got hit by two bullets. He might bleed to death...
4.Changeling: I'll dress his wounds.
4.Changeling: Anything can be fixed. Wait here.
5.Soldier: Where do you think you're going! Stay here, don't poke out. Reinforcements are on their way; we're going to push them back.
6.Changeling: Your commander is wounded. There will be no reinforcements.
6.Changeling: There is too little time.
1.Soldier: Why aren't they ordering retreat?
2.Changeling: Perhaps because we ought to hold out.
2.Changeling: Yes. The forces aren't equal.
1.Soldier: So you're that girl? And they said you were scary ugly.
2.Changeling: Idiot!
2.Changeling: They were talking about my temper.
1.Executor: You came too early. The queens of this chessboard are assembling to decide the fate of what remains of this sorry little town at seven p.m. Right now the Cathedral is closed.
2.Changeling: Right. I forgot.
2.Changeling: Why, isn't it seven already?
3.Executor: No. Not yet. You can take a nap across the street for now. The Crucible is no longer a threat to you. Perhaps you'll even dream of something unusual...
4.Changeling: I don't think so. Admit it, you'd be glad if I overslept and missed the Council, wouldn't you?
5.Executor: What does it matter? Do whatever you please; it's not like it will change anything. Go ahead and oversleep. Or die in your sleep as a parting gesture. It's all up to you now.
6.Changeling: Are you trying to flatter me?
6.Changeling: I want to get inside right now. But you're not going to let me in, right?
4.Changeling: I don't feel like it for some reason.
1.Executor: I can't let you any further, Changeling. Don't start thinking I'm abusing my position; it's a mere formality, of course, but you still have your confidants. Have you really had no time for a trifle like that?
2.Changeling: I'll check now. Perhaps I've forgotten something...
3.Executor: That something is more of a someone, I suppose?
4.Changeling: No it isn't. I meant exactly what I said.
5.Executor: Ah, the arrogance. And here I hoped you'd have the inner strength to love them as thyself.
6.Changeling: I feel nothing but loathing towards myself too.
7.Executor: Still, rules are rules. You won't get around this law no matter how hard you try. Not that you need this kind of petty self-assertion in the first place.
8.Changeling: All right. I'll be back soon.
8.Changeling: Why not? If I can defeat the Law, it means the Law has no power over me-right?
9.Executor: Let's not get mired in theorizing. That would be inane. I could tell you that some forces cannot be defeated without yielding to them first... but let's skip the poetry. You're not going to sway me. The town shall not be spared but for the sake of seven righteous people.
10.Changeling: That's hypocrisy, plain and simple.
6.Changeling: No, no. I do love them... I feel sorry for them.
4.Changeling: Yes, certainly. Thank you.
2.Changeling: Some trifle! I have a whole nine of them, and I loathe most.
3.Executor: Not nine but seven, to be exact. Nine were invited, seven were chosen. Nine sinners, seven transformed.
4.Changeling: Not much of a relief, that. Everyone else gets decent confidants, and I...
5.Executor: Ah, the arrogance. And here I hoped you'd have the inner strength to love them as thyself.
6.Changeling: I feel nothing but loathing towards myself too.
7.Executor: Still, rules are rules. You won't get around this law no matter how hard you try. Not that you need this kind of petty self-assertion in the first place.
8.Changeling: All right. I'll be back soon.
8.Changeling: Why not? If I can defeat the Law, it means the Law has no power over me-right?
9.Executor: Let's not get mired in theorizing. That would be inane. I could tell you that some forces cannot be defeated without yielding to them first... but let's skip the poetry. You're not going to sway me. The town shall not be spared but for the sake of seven righteous people.
10.Changeling: That's hypocrisy, plain and simple.
6.Changeling: No, no. I do love them... I feel sorry for them.
4.Changeling: Sinners? Them? What are you talking about!
1.Executor: Come, Changeling. The assembly is awaiting your decision. The queens of this chessboard are in a deadlock; they have each other pinned down. The game may very well end in a tragic stalemate. You're the promoted pawn, and it's the endgame. Go and finish it!
2.Changeling: I know, I know... You didn't have to bother explaining.
1.Executor: They've already begun. Are you going in?
2.Changeling: Yes. I am.
2.Changeling: You buffoon... It's not like I have other options! I'll have to-sooner or later.
1.Executor: So every single Bound has survived? Unbelievable!
2.Changeling: They can't all survive... Some will certainly perish. That's how things stand.
3.Executor: They can, they very much can... In your case, if I'm not mistaken, everyone can make it through. This is one of the brighter aspects of your great mission. A pleasant bonus, if you will.
4.Changeling: What about Eva though? And the Olgimskys...?
5.Executor: Yes, Eva, the Olgimskys, the Foreman of the Abattoir, all of them. But be quick. There's a reason you've come here, isn't there? You wanted to talk?
6.Changeling: Yes, I was going to ask a few questions. All right, I'll try to save everyone. It seems I'm destined for this... being the saviour of assorted nobodies.
6.Changeling: In fact I just wanted to say how deeply disappointed I am... if not to say disgusted. I suppose you'll eventually pass it on to those on the inside.
7.Executor: Eventual passing-on is always a certainty.
8.Changeling: That came out sinister. I could do without being reminded.
8.Changeling: Thank you.
6.Changeling: Then wait a little more.
7.Executor: We can wait, but time won't. It's the only thing that's truly out of our control. That was a hint, by the way.
8.Changeling: Thank you. I'll ponder over it on my way.
4.Changeling: Do you think this is funny?
2.Changeling: You are right. I forgot completely.
1.Executor: Thanks for visiting us. Go in. You're being awaited.
2.Changeling: Not at all.
1.Executor: What are you waiting for? Go in. Even we have no power over the passage of time in this place.
2.Changeling: I'll enter when I deem necessary.
1.Executor: Why haven't you visited the Focus of the Specular Tower? It's a rather curious place. Go, have a look... And then come back here. Otherwise the impression will be lost on you.
2.Changeling: I've already been there. I know who's hiding there all right.
3.Executor: Yes, yes... But do visit the place all the same. They too know that you know that they know... etcetera. Reflections! They realize you're not like those two unfortunates. Perhaps they'll also be smart enough to offer you a more engaging story than they offered them.
4.Changeling: They are figments of other people's imagination, just like the cobbles under my feet. What could they come up with that you wouldn't know?
4.Changeling: It seems like a hideout for creatures utterly devoid of meaning and purpose. But fine, I will. Pity about the waste of time, though.
2.Changeling: Hypocrite! Why not just say it-that it's predetermined; that I have to visit the Focus and will only be allowed here after that. Oh, you silly miracle-worker wannabes...
1.Tot: Clara's here... Hi, Clara! So-you're not a Changeling anymore?
2.Changeling: And why are you still here? Have you been left behind or something?
2.Changeling: No, little boy... I'm not Clara.
2.Changeling: What kind of a question is that?
3.Tot: Uh-oh... You're not going to... hurt us, are you? I just asked because I was curious...
4.Changeling: There, there. Why would I hurt sad little things like you...
5.Tot: If you like, you can ask us questions and we'll answer. The ones who were here before you here loved asking us questions! And we didn't mind. We'll give great answers, explaining everything and all. Look, this here, with the holed pebbles, is the Abattoir. And that over there-can you imagine?-is the Polyhedron!
6.Changeling: You know what-how about you told me instead who your favourites are?
7.Tot: Favourites? Mine is this, you know, this-Foreman! The great big one! That's who I like the most. The Haruspex is all right too... I always want to know which of them wins the fight in the end. And Thrush loves Lara, that doll over there...
8.Changeling: Why?
9.Tot: I don't get it either. She just does.
10.Changeling: Are you even capable of love?
11.Tot: Yes, we are. And you?
12.Changeling: Of course.
12.Changeling: No. I'm not.
12.Changeling: I don't know.
10.Changeling: Go home, kids. There's nothing for you to do here anymore. The game is over.
8.Changeling: No, I was asking about us, the protagonists.
9.Tot: Do you want me to tell you honestly or dishonestly?
10.Changeling: Honestly.
11.Tot: Well... we don't particularly like you. You're weird. The Bachelor, that one's all right. Except it's a shame he's got that suitcase completely attached to him. I wonder if I should tear it off.
12.Changeling: Don't. He won't be able to do his work then.
12.Changeling: Pity you don't like me... Eh well, I can't make you.
10.Changeling: Dishonestly.
11.Tot: Then-you, of course!
12.Changeling: You're funny, Measly. Now, off you go home.
6.Changeling: That's cute. Do you even realize that you're in there, on the inside?
4.Changeling: Not anymore. I've changed. Now I'm a real miracle-worker.
5.Tot: Then we've got to go home too. Was this a good game? What do you think?
6.Changeling: Passable...
6.Changeling: Horrible! Your game is simply atrocious.
6.Changeling: Actually, it wasn't your game, kid.
1.Teensy: Why are you here? Go away... I'm scared! You're scary.
2.Changeling: Scared? Why are you scared, little girl? What did you say your name was?
3.Teensy: Oh... Thrush.
4.Changeling: Is it derived from 'thrust', as in into the ground, or 'crush', as in in the process?
5.Teensy: Hey! Don't say that... it's scary!They took the coffin this morning and drove away with it! It's not coming back! Ever! No one is going to thrust anything anywhere!
6.Changeling: Ah, so we're being sensitive now... If you're afraid of a coffin, why play a game like this? Well, whatever; I don't suppose there's a point in talking to you...
7.Teensy: I want to go home! Let me go, I want to go home!
8.Changeling: How old are you, child?
9.Teensy: I don't know... Not old. And you may be a great big dummy but we're still the same height!
10.Changeling: It's because I'm hunkering. That's why we're the same height. See?
10.Changeling: Want to know who's the great big dummy here? Look in the mirror.
8.Changeling: You don't have to wait long, little toy. Hang in there, I'll release you soon.
6.Changeling: So you're back from a funeral... By the way, you can tell me who it is you've lost.
7.Teensy: Granddad... Our dear Granddad has died!
8.Changeling: I'm sorry.
8.Changeling: Your grandfather hasn't died. He's merely moved on to the afterlife. Don't cry.
8.Changeling: I was imagining something more horrible.
6.Changeling: Of course it isn't. Don't cry.
4.Changeling: Thrush... See, that's a very fitting name. Did you make it up for the game?
5.Teensy: Uh-huh... So that I don't catch the disease.
6.Changeling: So you're afraid of a play-disease? How could you possibly catch it?
7.Teensy: Anything can happen... One doesn't trifle with such things, you know. Sometimes it's all fun and games till it happens for real. That's what I keep telling Measly but he wouldn't listen...
8.Changeling: Well, he's picked himself quite a witching name too.
9.Teensy: Just in case!
10.Changeling: How old are you, child?
11.Teensy: I don't know... Not old. And you may be a great big dummy but we're still the same height!
12.Changeling: It's because I'm hunkering. That's why we're the same height. See?
12.Changeling: Want to know who's the great big dummy here? Look in the mirror.
2.Changeling: I've come to play with you a little before I go...
2.Changeling: Well, you know... just to see if you say anything interesting. But now I see you're just playing around in here.
1.Executor: The real game is what's happening between you and us. That was an official warning I had to make. I warned the previous charcaters too, but they went straight for questions... Such boring people.
2.Changeling: I don't think I'll be able to ask a more interesting question...
2.Changeling: Why did you put me in a position like this? What was that split-personality gimmick all about?
3.Executor: In fact, it was much gimmickier than a mere split personality. It was the gimmick of choosing one's own fate. A logical and temporal conundrum. A Moebius strip of events. A backup plan. And it seems to have worked. Clara is the game's main protagonist. And so is the Sand Dirt... so is the Utopia.
4.Changeling: What was the point of this whole affair? What was the pestilence for?
5.Executor: You see, we're conducting an experiment of sorts... We find the inevitability worrying and oppressive. We wanted to see for ourselves just how flawed the idea is of constructing a sarcophagus for a miracle... Or perhaps not a sarcophagus, but a space in which a miracle would always be possible.
6.Changeling: Why 'Changeling'?
7.Executor: Because that's what she is. It's her nature. And she'll stay true to it until the end... Well, almost until the end, seeing as she's the only one with the miracle option. Don't miss it.
8.Changeling: And what about the Haruspex and the Bachelor? What are they for then?
9.Executor: They haven't performed any miracles, but both had a chance to accomplish a heroic feat of a different sort... And prove or disprove a number of slippery points in the process.
10.Changeling: The Haruspex?
11.Executor: Diverging branches. He was the only one who could attain true freedom. He wasn't facing the kind of dilemma that the ever-deceived Bachelor found so dismal.
12.Changeling: What? Even here, you're not letting me go back to the previous selection? I'd be interested to hear about the other hero too...
13.Executor: Well, sorry... You haven't made your choice yet, have you? The miracle is yet to happen. This was just a reminder.
14.Changeling: Enough. I'm leaving.
12.Changeling: I think I'll find a way to even up on you too. To rub your nose and walk you into your own trap. Because it's clear to me now what your goals are.
13.Executor: That would be the outcome we hoped for the most!
14.Changeling: Oh no, don't lie.
14.Changeling: You still don't understand what I'm thinking of now...
12.Changeling: So it was a kind of loop?
13.Executor: Yes. The purest version of one, it seems. Two diverging pairs of decisions. Both pre-determined, but the dilemma is a harsh one indeed. That made the freedom all the more salient. And then, you see, there were also feelings involved... Love.
14.Changeling: Of a surrogate kind, right?
15.Executor: Love can't be surrogate. It's either there or it isn't.
16.Changeling: Don't try to be smart here. I'm the expert in love, not you...
17.Executor: Well, no one's taking that gift away from our dearest Clara...
18.Changeling: Does he at least have a chance to defeat you?
19.Executor: Depends on what he's understood, doesn't it? Surely you two have had a conversation aready. How profoundly has he been enlightened, this great intuiter of things?
20.Changeling: He doesn't seem to have understood anything at all. Perhaps he doesn't even care. He thinks himself a hero.
21.Executor: Ah... I see. Then it would be better if he waived the choice altogether. That would at least be unexpected. Seems daft, doesn't it? But it's not that simple... The Haruspex is a man of action, and-
22.Changeling: Indeed? And why the hell are you planning beforehand which decision will be free and which won't be? There's no escaping from this loop! So long as you're here, this will last forever.
23.Executor: That's why we initially planned pure destruction for our dearest Changeling. Which would obviously include our own destruction... You know all this philosophical stuff, don't you? The truth as liberation... ephemeral things... the wheel of rebirth...
24.Changeling: Nonsense. I don't believe in that.
24.Changeling: That's fairly well-advised...
25.Executor: That's nice to hear.
26.Changeling: So what am I supposed to do?
27.Executor: We surmise that this paradox can be resolved... but that's just a hypothesis. Hint: in your case only, out of the three. Why?
28.Changeling: I'll soon find the answer to this question.
29.Executor: That would be the outcome we hoped for the most!
30.Changeling: Oh no, don't lie.
30.Changeling: You still don't understand what I'm thinking of now...
28.Changeling: Go to hell...
20.Changeling: I don't know.
21.Executor: Then ask. He's at his usual place.
22.Changeling: All right. I'll ask. And then I'll make you sorry for abusing the rules.
23.Executor: That would be the outcome we hoped for the most!
24.Changeling: Oh no, don't lie.
24.Changeling: You still don't understand what I'm thinking of now...
10.Changeling: The Bachelor?
11.Executor: A tempted destroyer. He could have accomplished a feat of moral heroism. The strongest, the most straightforward, he was too strongly tempted by vengeance and destruction for his not going through with it to be anything less than... miracle, or something close to one.
12.Changeling: What? Even here, you're not letting me go back to the previous selection? I'd be interested to hear about the other hero too...
13.Executor: Well, sorry... You haven't made your choice yet, have you? The miracle is yet to happen. This was just a reminder.
14.Changeling: Enough. I'm leaving.
12.Changeling: I think I'll find a way to even up on you too. To rub your nose and walk you into your own trap. Because it's clear to me now what your goals are.
13.Executor: That would be the outcome we hoped for the most!
14.Changeling: Oh no, don't lie.
14.Changeling: You still don't understand what I'm thinking of now...
12.Changeling: So that was the easiest option?
13.Executor: Yes, it was perhaps... the simplest solution. And the most emotional one, behind its veneer of calculation. Three deceptions, one after another... gradual disillusionment, bitterness, a desire to retaliate against the oppressors... predictable obstinacry and a contrarian decision.
14.Changeling: Does he at least have a chance to defeat you?
15.Executor: Depends on what he's understood, doesn't it? Surely you two have had a conversation aready. How profoundly has he been enlightened, this sophisticated gentleman?
16.Changeling: 'He seems to have found a way into the Focus and realized he was a toy.
17.Executor: Ah... I see. He should better bring somebody else to the Cathedral then. As I've already said: his trajectory is so designed as to make it difficult for him to abandon his arrangement. Except by a lapse of judgement-but we're not concerned with that.
18.Changeling: Indeed? And why the hell are you planning beforehand which decision will be free and which won't be? There's no escaping from this loop! So long as you're here, this will last forever.
19.Executor: That's why we initially planned pure destruction for our dearest Changeling. Which would obviously include our own destruction... You know all this philosophical stuff, don't you? The truth as liberation... ephemeral things... the wheel of rebirth...
20.Changeling: Nonsense. I don't believe in that.
20.Changeling: That's fairly well-advised...
21.Executor: That's nice to hear.
22.Changeling: So what am I supposed to do?
23.Executor: We surmise that this paradox can be resolved... but that's just a hypothesis. Hint: in your case only, out of the three. Why?
24.Changeling: I'll soon find the answer to this question.
25.Executor: That would be the outcome we hoped for the most!
26.Changeling: Oh no, don't lie.
26.Changeling: You still don't understand what I'm thinking of now...
24.Changeling: Go to hell...
16.Changeling: I don't know.
17.Executor: Then ask. He's at his usual place.
18.Changeling: All right. I'll ask. And then I'll make you sorry for abusing the rules.
19.Executor: That would be the outcome we hoped for the most!
20.Changeling: Oh no, don't lie.
20.Changeling: You still don't understand what I'm thinking of now...
8.Changeling: I hate your experiments... I find them stupid and naïve.
6.Changeling: A heretical aspiration! Who do you think you are?
7.Executor: This is why the Changeling was conceived as either holy or possessed. Who if not she was to solve this... essentially religious issue!
8.Changeling: The way you're interpreting it, it falls short of counting as religious!
9.Executor: Amen to that... Still, we reserve our right to experiment.
10.Changeling: So why did you design the Changeling like that?
11.Executor: Because that's what she is. It's her nature. And she'll stay true to it until the end... Well, almost until the end, seeing as she's the only one with the miracle option. Don't miss it.
12.Changeling: And what about the Haruspex and the Bachelor? What are they for then?
13.Executor: They haven't performed any miracles, but both had a chance to accomplish a heroic feat of a different sort... And prove or disprove a number of slippery points in the process.
14.Changeling: The Haruspex?
15.Executor: Diverging branches. He was the only one who could attain true freedom. He wasn't facing the kind of dilemma that the ever-deceived Bachelor found so dismal.
16.Changeling: What? Even here, you're not letting me go back to the previous selection? I'd be interested to hear about the other hero too...
17.Executor: Well, sorry... You haven't made your choice yet, have you? The miracle is yet to happen. This was just a reminder.
18.Changeling: Enough. I'm leaving.
16.Changeling: I think I'll find a way to even up on you too. To rub your nose and walk you into your own trap. Because it's clear to me now what your goals are.
17.Executor: That would be the outcome we hoped for the most!
18.Changeling: Oh no, don't lie.
18.Changeling: You still don't understand what I'm thinking of now...
16.Changeling: So it was a kind of loop?
17.Executor: Yes. The purest version of one, it seems. Two diverging pairs of decisions. Both pre-determined, but the dilemma is a harsh one indeed. That made the freedom all the more salient. And then, you see, there were also feelings involved... Love.
18.Changeling: Of a surrogate kind, right?
19.Executor: Love can't be surrogate. It's either there or it isn't.
20.Changeling: Don't try to be smart here. I'm the expert in love, not you...
21.Executor: Well, no one's taking that gift away from our dearest Clara...
22.Changeling: Does he at least have a chance to defeat you?
23.Executor: Depends on what he's understood, doesn't it? Surely you two have had a conversation aready. How profoundly has he been enlightened, this great intuiter of things?
24.Changeling: He doesn't seem to have understood anything at all. Perhaps he doesn't even care. He thinks himself a hero.
25.Executor: Ah... I see. Then it would be better if he waived the choice altogether. That would at least be unexpected. Seems daft, doesn't it? But it's not that simple... The Haruspex is a man of action, and-
26.Changeling: Indeed? And why the hell are you planning beforehand which decision will be free and which won't be? There's no escaping from this loop! So long as you're here, this will last forever.
27.Executor: That's why we initially planned pure destruction for our dearest Changeling. Which would obviously include our own destruction... You know all this philosophical stuff, don't you? The truth as liberation... ephemeral things... the wheel of rebirth...
28.Changeling: Nonsense. I don't believe in that.
28.Changeling: That's fairly well-advised...
29.Executor: That's nice to hear.
30.Changeling: So what am I supposed to do?
31.Executor: We surmise that this paradox can be resolved... but that's just a hypothesis. Hint: in your case only, out of the three. Why?
32.Changeling: I'll soon find the answer to this question.
33.Executor: That would be the outcome we hoped for the most!
34.Changeling: Oh no, don't lie.
34.Changeling: You still don't understand what I'm thinking of now...
32.Changeling: Go to hell...
24.Changeling: I don't know.
25.Executor: Then ask. He's at his usual place.
26.Changeling: All right. I'll ask. And then I'll make you sorry for abusing the rules.
27.Executor: That would be the outcome we hoped for the most!
28.Changeling: Oh no, don't lie.
28.Changeling: You still don't understand what I'm thinking of now...
14.Changeling: The Bachelor?
15.Executor: A tempted destroyer. He could have accomplished a feat of moral heroism. The strongest, the most straightforward, he was too strongly tempted by vengeance and destruction for his not going through with it to be anything less than... miracle, or something close to one.
16.Changeling: What? Even here, you're not letting me go back to the previous selection? I'd be interested to hear about the other hero too...
17.Executor: Well, sorry... You haven't made your choice yet, have you? The miracle is yet to happen. This was just a reminder.
18.Changeling: Enough. I'm leaving.
16.Changeling: I think I'll find a way to even up on you too. To rub your nose and walk you into your own trap. Because it's clear to me now what your goals are.
17.Executor: That would be the outcome we hoped for the most!
18.Changeling: Oh no, don't lie.
18.Changeling: You still don't understand what I'm thinking of now...
16.Changeling: So that was the easiest option?
17.Executor: Yes, it was perhaps... the simplest solution. And the most emotional one, behind its veneer of calculation. Three deceptions, one after another... gradual disillusionment, bitterness, a desire to retaliate against the oppressors... predictable obstinacry and a contrarian decision.
18.Changeling: Does he at least have a chance to defeat you?
19.Executor: Depends on what he's understood, doesn't it? Surely you two have had a conversation aready. How profoundly has he been enlightened, this sophisticated gentleman?
20.Changeling: 'He seems to have found a way into the Focus and realized he was a toy.
21.Executor: Ah... I see. He should better bring somebody else to the Cathedral then. As I've already said: his trajectory is so designed as to make it difficult for him to abandon his arrangement. Except by a lapse of judgement-but we're not concerned with that.
22.Changeling: Indeed? And why the hell are you planning beforehand which decision will be free and which won't be? There's no escaping from this loop! So long as you're here, this will last forever.
23.Executor: That's why we initially planned pure destruction for our dearest Changeling. Which would obviously include our own destruction... You know all this philosophical stuff, don't you? The truth as liberation... ephemeral things... the wheel of rebirth...
24.Changeling: Nonsense. I don't believe in that.
24.Changeling: That's fairly well-advised...
25.Executor: That's nice to hear.
26.Changeling: So what am I supposed to do?
27.Executor: We surmise that this paradox can be resolved... but that's just a hypothesis. Hint: in your case only, out of the three. Why?
28.Changeling: I'll soon find the answer to this question.
29.Executor: That would be the outcome we hoped for the most!
30.Changeling: Oh no, don't lie.
30.Changeling: You still don't understand what I'm thinking of now...
28.Changeling: Go to hell...
20.Changeling: I don't know.
21.Executor: Then ask. He's at his usual place.
22.Changeling: All right. I'll ask. And then I'll make you sorry for abusing the rules.
23.Executor: That would be the outcome we hoped for the most!
24.Changeling: Oh no, don't lie.
24.Changeling: You still don't understand what I'm thinking of now...
12.Changeling: I hate your experiments... I find them stupid and naïve.
8.Changeling: Holy or possessed? Is that the same as 'thief and miracle-worker'?
9.Executor: Not quite. A thief is a miracle-worker's equal, whereas holiness is not nearly on the same level as... possession, if that's what we're going to call it; ultimately, it's a question of your freedom or lack thereof.
10.Changeling: So why did you design the Changeling like that?
11.Executor: Because that's what she is. It's her nature. And she'll stay true to it until the end... Well, almost until the end, seeing as she's the only one with the miracle option. Don't miss it.
12.Changeling: And what about the Haruspex and the Bachelor? What are they for then?
13.Executor: They haven't performed any miracles, but both had a chance to accomplish a heroic feat of a different sort... And prove or disprove a number of slippery points in the process.
14.Changeling: The Haruspex?
15.Executor: Diverging branches. He was the only one who could attain true freedom. He wasn't facing the kind of dilemma that the ever-deceived Bachelor found so dismal.
16.Changeling: What? Even here, you're not letting me go back to the previous selection? I'd be interested to hear about the other hero too...
17.Executor: Well, sorry... You haven't made your choice yet, have you? The miracle is yet to happen. This was just a reminder.
18.Changeling: Enough. I'm leaving.
16.Changeling: I think I'll find a way to even up on you too. To rub your nose and walk you into your own trap. Because it's clear to me now what your goals are.
17.Executor: That would be the outcome we hoped for the most!
18.Changeling: Oh no, don't lie.
18.Changeling: You still don't understand what I'm thinking of now...
16.Changeling: So it was a kind of loop?
17.Executor: Yes. The purest version of one, it seems. Two diverging pairs of decisions. Both pre-determined, but the dilemma is a harsh one indeed. That made the freedom all the more salient. And then, you see, there were also feelings involved... Love.
18.Changeling: Of a surrogate kind, right?
19.Executor: Love can't be surrogate. It's either there or it isn't.
20.Changeling: Don't try to be smart here. I'm the expert in love, not you...
21.Executor: Well, no one's taking that gift away from our dearest Clara...
22.Changeling: Does he at least have a chance to defeat you?
23.Executor: Depends on what he's understood, doesn't it? Surely you two have had a conversation aready. How profoundly has he been enlightened, this great intuiter of things?
24.Changeling: He doesn't seem to have understood anything at all. Perhaps he doesn't even care. He thinks himself a hero.
25.Executor: Ah... I see. Then it would be better if he waived the choice altogether. That would at least be unexpected. Seems daft, doesn't it? But it's not that simple... The Haruspex is a man of action, and-
26.Changeling: Indeed? And why the hell are you planning beforehand which decision will be free and which won't be? There's no escaping from this loop! So long as you're here, this will last forever.
27.Executor: That's why we initially planned pure destruction for our dearest Changeling. Which would obviously include our own destruction... You know all this philosophical stuff, don't you? The truth as liberation... ephemeral things... the wheel of rebirth...
28.Changeling: Nonsense. I don't believe in that.
28.Changeling: That's fairly well-advised...
29.Executor: That's nice to hear.
30.Changeling: So what am I supposed to do?
31.Executor: We surmise that this paradox can be resolved... but that's just a hypothesis. Hint: in your case only, out of the three. Why?
32.Changeling: I'll soon find the answer to this question.
33.Executor: That would be the outcome we hoped for the most!
34.Changeling: Oh no, don't lie.
34.Changeling: You still don't understand what I'm thinking of now...
32.Changeling: Go to hell...
24.Changeling: I don't know.
25.Executor: Then ask. He's at his usual place.
26.Changeling: All right. I'll ask. And then I'll make you sorry for abusing the rules.
27.Executor: That would be the outcome we hoped for the most!
28.Changeling: Oh no, don't lie.
28.Changeling: You still don't understand what I'm thinking of now...
14.Changeling: The Bachelor?
15.Executor: A tempted destroyer. He could have accomplished a feat of moral heroism. The strongest, the most straightforward, he was too strongly tempted by vengeance and destruction for his not going through with it to be anything less than... miracle, or something close to one.
16.Changeling: What? Even here, you're not letting me go back to the previous selection? I'd be interested to hear about the other hero too...
17.Executor: Well, sorry... You haven't made your choice yet, have you? The miracle is yet to happen. This was just a reminder.
18.Changeling: Enough. I'm leaving.
16.Changeling: I think I'll find a way to even up on you too. To rub your nose and walk you into your own trap. Because it's clear to me now what your goals are.
17.Executor: That would be the outcome we hoped for the most!
18.Changeling: Oh no, don't lie.
18.Changeling: You still don't understand what I'm thinking of now...
16.Changeling: So that was the easiest option?
17.Executor: Yes, it was perhaps... the simplest solution. And the most emotional one, behind its veneer of calculation. Three deceptions, one after another... gradual disillusionment, bitterness, a desire to retaliate against the oppressors... predictable obstinacry and a contrarian decision.
18.Changeling: Does he at least have a chance to defeat you?
19.Executor: Depends on what he's understood, doesn't it? Surely you two have had a conversation aready. How profoundly has he been enlightened, this sophisticated gentleman?
20.Changeling: 'He seems to have found a way into the Focus and realized he was a toy.
21.Executor: Ah... I see. He should better bring somebody else to the Cathedral then. As I've already said: his trajectory is so designed as to make it difficult for him to abandon his arrangement. Except by a lapse of judgement-but we're not concerned with that.
22.Changeling: Indeed? And why the hell are you planning beforehand which decision will be free and which won't be? There's no escaping from this loop! So long as you're here, this will last forever.
23.Executor: That's why we initially planned pure destruction for our dearest Changeling. Which would obviously include our own destruction... You know all this philosophical stuff, don't you? The truth as liberation... ephemeral things... the wheel of rebirth...
24.Changeling: Nonsense. I don't believe in that.
24.Changeling: That's fairly well-advised...
25.Executor: That's nice to hear.
26.Changeling: So what am I supposed to do?
27.Executor: We surmise that this paradox can be resolved... but that's just a hypothesis. Hint: in your case only, out of the three. Why?
28.Changeling: I'll soon find the answer to this question.
29.Executor: That would be the outcome we hoped for the most!
30.Changeling: Oh no, don't lie.
30.Changeling: You still don't understand what I'm thinking of now...
28.Changeling: Go to hell...
20.Changeling: I don't know.
21.Executor: Then ask. He's at his usual place.
22.Changeling: All right. I'll ask. And then I'll make you sorry for abusing the rules.
23.Executor: That would be the outcome we hoped for the most!
24.Changeling: Oh no, don't lie.
24.Changeling: You still don't understand what I'm thinking of now...
12.Changeling: I hate your experiments... I find them stupid and naïve.
2.Changeling: I'd still like a hint. If this is the situation with my invariant, then how am I different?
3.Executor: Now then, what have you understood, sweetie?
4.Changeling: It's all been clear to me for quite a while. I know there's no one here except me and you, and that you left this place a long time ago. That which is talking to me is your pitiful residue.
5.Executor: Come now... What makes you say that? We have after all kept ourselves a function and not a constant...
6.Changeling: Don't try to be smart. I don't understand such words.
7.Executor: Still the Changeling? That deeply immersed in the character...?
8.Changeling: I was joking.
9.Executor: Speak to my colleague. He's your invariant. Yours, not the Changeling's.
10.Changeling: I want to know what kind of a miracle I can perform myself! You swear it's genuine, right?
11.Executor: ...Shall we tell you? Brace yourself! We're going to actually tell you!
12.Changeling: Yes, tell me.
13.Executor: Well... initially, we were going to rest content with just the destruction, but then we quickly slapped together a different ending... which had this sacrificial miracle in it. On the whole, though, we didn't really plan anything, to be honest. There just wasn't enough time to think it through.
14.Changeling: Fantastic. Now be quiet, I know where I'm going next.
12.Changeling: Stop! Don't. Anything but that.
13.Executor: ...You guessed?
14.Changeling: I guessed.
14.Changeling: No. What did you have in store for me? What's my ending?
15.Executor: Well... initially, we were going to rest content with just the destruction, but then we quickly slapped together a different ending... which had this sacrificial miracle in it. On the whole, though, we didn't really plan anything, to be honest. There just wasn't enough time to think it through.
16.Changeling: Fantastic. Now be quiet, I know where I'm going next.
12.Changeling: Go ahead and tell me you didn't plan anything at all for me. Scumbags...
6.Changeling: I'm waiting for more.
7.Executor: Speak to my colleague. He's your invariant. Yours, not the Changeling's.
8.Changeling: I want to know what kind of a miracle I can perform myself! You swear it's genuine, right?
9.Executor: ...Shall we tell you? Brace yourself! We're going to actually tell you!
10.Changeling: Yes, tell me.
11.Executor: Well... initially, we were going to rest content with just the destruction, but then we quickly slapped together a different ending... which had this sacrificial miracle in it. On the whole, though, we didn't really plan anything, to be honest. There just wasn't enough time to think it through.
12.Changeling: Fantastic. Now be quiet, I know where I'm going next.
10.Changeling: Stop! Don't. Anything but that.
11.Executor: ...You guessed?
12.Changeling: I guessed.
12.Changeling: No. What did you have in store for me? What's my ending?
13.Executor: Well... initially, we were going to rest content with just the destruction, but then we quickly slapped together a different ending... which had this sacrificial miracle in it. On the whole, though, we didn't really plan anything, to be honest. There just wasn't enough time to think it through.
14.Changeling: Fantastic. Now be quiet, I know where I'm going next.
10.Changeling: Go ahead and tell me you didn't plan anything at all for me. Scumbags...
4.Changeling: Whoa. Since then have we been on such familiar terms?
5.Executor: We were talking to the Changeling. Ignore that. We're assuming you couldn't possibly have asked such a question.
6.Changeling: Why, what if I did?
7.Executor: Speak to my colleague. He's your invariant. Yours, not the Changeling's.
8.Changeling: I want to know what kind of a miracle I can perform myself! You swear it's genuine, right?
9.Executor: ...Shall we tell you? Brace yourself! We're going to actually tell you!
10.Changeling: Yes, tell me.
11.Executor: Well... initially, we were going to rest content with just the destruction, but then we quickly slapped together a different ending... which had this sacrificial miracle in it. On the whole, though, we didn't really plan anything, to be honest. There just wasn't enough time to think it through.
12.Changeling: Fantastic. Now be quiet, I know where I'm going next.
10.Changeling: Stop! Don't. Anything but that.
11.Executor: ...You guessed?
12.Changeling: I guessed.
12.Changeling: No. What did you have in store for me? What's my ending?
13.Executor: Well... initially, we were going to rest content with just the destruction, but then we quickly slapped together a different ending... which had this sacrificial miracle in it. On the whole, though, we didn't really plan anything, to be honest. There just wasn't enough time to think it through.
14.Changeling: Fantastic. Now be quiet, I know where I'm going next.
10.Changeling: Go ahead and tell me you didn't plan anything at all for me. Scumbags...
6.Changeling: Ah... Point taken.
1.Tragedian: Well... You know everything about us already. Now that you've got this far, you're much more powerful than us...
2.Changeling: Who was Clara, the grave-born? The one who raised her hands first?
3.Tragedian: She was indeed conceived as the disease, an instrument of the Law... but she was born a thief. At the very moment of her birth, she got a chance to become someone completely different. The girl came into this world, having stolen for herself the fate of a miracle-worker.
4.Changeling: Does this mean I'm not a toy? Why are the Powers That Be acting so strangely towards me?
5.Tragedian: Why not? The Changeling, not knowing who she was herself, had fallen into our mirror trap. It was a surprise even to the children who were playing with her. So it was a conundrum... why, there's no point in hiding that we hadn't expected it either. So maybe, just maybe...
6.Changeling: How? Hadn't you made provisions for every circumstance beforehand?
7.Tragedian: When she first performed a lesser miracle, we were ourselves astounded... We had never thought it could work. It shouldn't have.
8.Changeling: Unbelievable...
8.Changeling: I see. In fact nothing should've worked for you at all.
6.Changeling: I've got an idea of my own on the subject...
4.Changeling: And the sister... Did she really exist?
5.Tragedian: Of course not. The same being sang in two different voices. You had made her up yourself-don't you remember when? It was a falsehood...
6.Changeling: Well, the answer has been hinted at...
7.Tragedian: Then it shouldn't surprise you that at certain moments you were seeing Clara in front of you. Right?
8.Changeling: Hang on! Here's the important part. Who's she? The twin? The one that doesn't exist?
9.Tragedian: Seeing as the plague girl invented her in order to save her life and dodge an accusation-she is in fact the saint and miracle-worker.
10.Changeling: Then how can we be talking about anything resembling a choice?
10.Changeling: Can a miracle be performed under such conditions?
11.Tragedian: Why not? The Changeling, not knowing who she was herself, had fallen into our mirror trap. It was a surprise even to the children who were playing with her. So it was a conundrum... why, there's no point in hiding that we hadn't expected it either. So maybe, just maybe...
12.Changeling: How? Hadn't you made provisions for every circumstance beforehand?
13.Tragedian: When she first performed a lesser miracle, we were ourselves astounded... We had never thought it could work. It shouldn't have.
14.Changeling: Unbelievable...
14.Changeling: I see. In fact nothing should've worked for you at all.
12.Changeling: I've got an idea of my own on the subject...
6.Changeling: Enough! I've seen her; I've talked to her.
7.Tragedian: Is this you talking to us now... or not? Who's speaking?
8.Changeling: Me. The Changeling.
9.Tragedian: Oh, we beg you pardon then. This means we're dealing with a really, really difficult medical case here... There's nothing we can do.
10.Changeling: Hang on! Here's the important part. Who's she? The twin? The one that doesn't exist?
11.Tragedian: Seeing as the plague girl invented her in order to save her life and dodge an accusation-she is in fact the saint and miracle-worker.
12.Changeling: Then how can we be talking about anything resembling a choice?
12.Changeling: Can a miracle be performed under such conditions?
13.Tragedian: Why not? The Changeling, not knowing who she was herself, had fallen into our mirror trap. It was a surprise even to the children who were playing with her. So it was a conundrum... why, there's no point in hiding that we hadn't expected it either. So maybe, just maybe...
14.Changeling: How? Hadn't you made provisions for every circumstance beforehand?
15.Tragedian: When she first performed a lesser miracle, we were ourselves astounded... We had never thought it could work. It shouldn't have.
16.Changeling: Unbelievable...
16.Changeling: I see. In fact nothing should've worked for you at all.
14.Changeling: I've got an idea of my own on the subject...
10.Changeling: So is the plague an evil or a blessing?
11.Tragedian: Oh, that's up to you to decide.
12.Changeling: Or was I that blessed divine messenger precisely when I was spreading the plague with my hands? Was I doing His will?
13.Tragedian: Whose will? That's the principal question. I'm still losing the thread and don't know who I'm talking to.
14.Changeling: Can a miracle be performed under such conditions?
15.Tragedian: Why not? The Changeling, not knowing who she was herself, had fallen into our mirror trap. It was a surprise even to the children who were playing with her. So it was a conundrum... why, there's no point in hiding that we hadn't expected it either. So maybe, just maybe...
16.Changeling: How? Hadn't you made provisions for every circumstance beforehand?
17.Tragedian: When she first performed a lesser miracle, we were ourselves astounded... We had never thought it could work. It shouldn't have.
18.Changeling: Unbelievable...
18.Changeling: I see. In fact nothing should've worked for you at all.
16.Changeling: I've got an idea of my own on the subject...
8.Changeling: Me. The player.
9.Tragedian: Then it shouldn't surprise you that at certain moments you were seeing Clara in front of you. Right?
10.Changeling: Hang on! Here's the important part. Who's she? The twin? The one that doesn't exist?
11.Tragedian: Seeing as the plague girl invented her in order to save her life and dodge an accusation-she is in fact the saint and miracle-worker.
12.Changeling: Then how can we be talking about anything resembling a choice?
12.Changeling: Can a miracle be performed under such conditions?
13.Tragedian: Why not? The Changeling, not knowing who she was herself, had fallen into our mirror trap. It was a surprise even to the children who were playing with her. So it was a conundrum... why, there's no point in hiding that we hadn't expected it either. So maybe, just maybe...
14.Changeling: How? Hadn't you made provisions for every circumstance beforehand?
15.Tragedian: When she first performed a lesser miracle, we were ourselves astounded... We had never thought it could work. It shouldn't have.
16.Changeling: Unbelievable...
16.Changeling: I see. In fact nothing should've worked for you at all.
14.Changeling: I've got an idea of my own on the subject...
2.Changeling: And yet I still have to choose a reply from the options I'm offered.