The theater was shrouded in shadow by an invisible curtain, making every audience member feel as though they were indoors, able to perceive the main characters more clearly.
A halo of light suddenly fell over the stage, and the protagonist sawing wood—the "older brother" played by Markwen—was now swallowed by darkness as well.
Two shadows, one tall and one short, entered the halo. They were so black that no light could pass through them: the cut-out shadows of Noa Bo and Ponto, a Dwarf and an even smaller infant.
They danced beneath the spotlight while the "older brother" began introducing his life story.
As he sawed, he softly sang the lyrics beneath his breath. With the sound-amplifying magical item lingering over the theater, his voice reached every ear: "Once, I was a carpenter's child, and I had a brother.
He was somewhat mischievous, but we spent every day together.
We inherited our father's craft and lived in a happy home.
Illness shattered the peace and took our father and mother.
We became drifting duckweed, until our uncle arrived.
He was our father's brother, a priest of the church.
He became our shelter and watched over us."
Remaining silent during the performance and offering applause at its conclusion was the most basic respect one could show every performer.
Yet Dawn still softly sang along with every single lyric.
She truly found it difficult to remain respectful. Looking at Tang Qi with some urgency, she said, "They're shameless beyond all limits."
After all, Ponto had not changed even a fraction of the melody or lyrics. He had practically copied the entire work onto today's stage.
Yet more puzzling to Tang Qi than the plagiarism itself was this: given that the two troupes had rehearsed separately in the attic and scarcely met, by