Act 2 Scene 1:
(A new location: Worcestershire's cobblestone streets were eerily deserted, flanked by grand and opulent buildings adorned with Narcissian banners)
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(Stage directions: golden, soft lights, should amplify the white and gold aesthetic)
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(Lord Preen, the protagonist, the Adapetus Æther, and ambassador vanity all enter the scene)
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Ambassador Vanity: Welcome to Worcestershire, my dear guests. The empty streets, a sign of respect to our grand arrival.
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Protagonist: (In awe) Such a splendid sight! The grandeur of these buildings is unlike anything I’ve ever beheld.
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Adapetus Æther: The architecture here is indeed of unparalleled magnificence.
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Ambassador Vanity: Narciss, you see, is unrivalled in innovation and progress. Our regions, each more remarkable than the last, play a vital role.
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Protagonist: And, Ambassador Vanity, could you share with us the specifics of how these regions contribute to this progress?
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Ambassador Vanity: Very well. Allow me to present to you Worcestershire, the pinnacle of Narcissian grandeur, the veritable epicentre of power. High-Exarch Worce himself orchestrates the ceaseless rhythm of this administrative domain, where golden gears of governance grind with precision. In this illustrious realm, power flows like a cascading river, and influence is measured in the weight of secrets held. Worcestershire, a masterpiece of intricate architecture, is a living testament to the astute political wit of its High-Exarch. Under his rule, Narciss thrives in an atmosphere of calculated elegance, as each gear in the political machinery plays its part.
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(Lord Preen decides to express his boredom by inserting dry jokes and snide comments after every description)
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Lord Preen: (Dry) Bureaucracy: Worcestershire’s main export and Exarch Worce’s favourite pastime.
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(The protagonist tries to stifle her laughter at this)
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Ambassador Vanity: Behold, Luxequinox, a radiant bastion of innovation in the realm of Narciss. High-Exarch Lux, a brilliant mind and a maven of progress, guides this realm towards the zenith of technological achievements.
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Lord Preen: In Luxequinox, they’ve likely invented an ætheric device that can detect ethical dilemmas and promptly ignore them.
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Ambassador Vanity: Ah, Valerium, a place of great sustenance for our society. High-Exarch Val is a perfectionist in both agriculture and medicine, ensuring that our people have access to the finest care. His meticulous approach makes him an exemplary leader in these vital fields.
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Lord Preen: (wryly) Valerium – the land where they grow crops so meticulously that they probably count every grain of wheat individually!
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Ambassador Vanity: In Xyrolith, a realm of excessive mineral abundance and supposedly fine craftsmanship, High-Exarch Onyx governs her people with what some consider an excessively soft heart. It has been insinuated that her unwavering compassion may sometimes hinder the efficiency of her rule. It is a place where an unbridled surplus of minerals mingles with what can only be described as sentimentality, forging an unusual fusion of raw wealth and tenderness.
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Lord Preen: I have heard tales that High-Exarch Onyx’s care for her people is rivalled only by her love for sparkly things.
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Ambassador Vanity: Lastly, we have Chalcrystis, a realm of pure enchantment and opulence. High-Exarch Cha is a model leader of our society, managing the splendid confluence of artistry and wealth with unparalleled skill. His rule, marked by prosperity and festivity, has made this region a true spectacle. Here, the vibrancy of music and entertainment harmoniously dances with a flair for indulgence, all masterminded by the astute and spirited High-Exarch Cha.
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Lord Preen: Oh, High-Exarch Cha, where art thou? Counting thy wealth, no doubt.
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Adapetus Æther: Ambassador, may I ask who leads the magnificent Narcissian Navy?
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(Stage directions: Dimming of lights? Sound effects of engines and the ominous hum of advanced machinery. The characters look up in amazement)
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Adapetus Æther: What is tha-
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Ambassador Vanity: The pride of the Narcissian Navy, The ND Narcissus. Flagship of our fleet, sovereign of the skies, and the only Dreadnought in existence.
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Lord Preen: The rumours were true?
Ambassador Vanity: Indeed, they were, it is under the command of Aeroadmiral Noble.
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Ambassador Vanity: Come! The Earl of Narciss awaits!
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(The characters exit the stage on the opposite side they entered)
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(The lights dim to nothing)
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