The Luster of Stars in Moscow
⁇ 65
Tsar Dramy's…
"From today on, we'll start the official training!" Vladimir announced.
The members sat in rows in the training room.
Cheri sat on the front row of the bench, trying to focus his attention only on Vladimir's speech. Not wanting to burden himself with the surrounding situation that on average contained a hostile gaze.
"The staging will be held for thirteen days" Vladimir continued. "From the ninth to the twenty-first of May at the Bolshoi Theatre. Screenplay by Rafael Moscovich, director Vladimir Vallensky."
The whole room clapped.
"The cast members. Joan d'Arc, Cheri Dutchskova!" Vladimir announced.
The whole room is fluttering.
Cheri doesn't care.
"Charles crown prince, Demian Ivanov!"
Cheri finally raised his face and looked over. Demian also sat on the front row, three benches from his bench.
As if he could feel himself being noticed, the man turned to Cheri. His face looks flat.
It was unexpected to play with him again, Cheri thought.
"Residents of Orleans." Vladimir's voice rose-drowned in Cheri's consciousness, as he daydreamed.
"The role of Joan's successor, Leah Denova!"
Cheri's consciousness returned, he withdrew his gaze from Demian and turned to Leah who was standing at the side of the room at the end of the first row of benches.
The girl glanced back at him and blinked one eye.
Cheri responded with a deep smile.
Joan's followers.." Vladimir continued.
Some people started whispering. "Any," a girl grumbled behind Cheri. "The more worthy of the lead role is to become a reserve player!"
"Isn't it clear" Vladimir rebuked them.
The whole room was frozen.
Cheri gulped, surprised to learn Vladimir's hearing range was above average.
"If the main character proves unable to play well, Leah is ready to replace him at any time" Vladimir explained.
The girls hissed laughing while smothering his mouth.
Cheri let out a short sigh, feeling stung by the innuendo in their laughter. But he tried to ignore his feelings.
Rafael will save you!
Cheri cheered himself on.
"Second announcement of the players" continued Vladimir. "Well, now I'll explain Joan's position in history. Please don't make a fuss!"
The whole room is frozen.
"Joan was born in the village of Domremy as the daughter of a peasant, at a time when a war for the throne and territories between England and France was ongoing. That war is called a hundred years war."
Cheri listened to Vladimir's explanation with a hint of amazement. Not expecting the man to have a charismatic aura while talking without his annoying silly grin.
"One day, Joan heard the voice of God.Joan, go to the besieged Orleans of the enemy, save France and give the throne of the kingdom to the crown prince Charles. That's how the voice sounded over and over again. Joan, who was only sixteen years old, was determined to make those words happen."
Cheri tries to develop his imagination following Vladimir's story.
"Joan, who was dressed in men's clothing and carrying a sword, continued to be guided by the voice of God, and he managed to gain the trust of Prince Charles. Dressed in white armor, riding on a white horse, Joan led her army and several times brought victory to the French troops who had been mired in dangerous situations such as miracles."
The whole room was still shaking.
"However, Joan, who at that time was dubbed as a magical girl and holy warrior, fell into the hands of the British. Joan, who was taken captive by British soldiers, was taken to a religious court and sentenced to death on charges that she was a witch who had defiled the name of God. In the flames, Joan unceasingly called the name of the Lord."
Cheri gulped imagining himself in the flames.
The whole room turned towards the boy.
"Is she pretty?" The boy asked.
The whole room was laughing.
"You think... Is she pretty?" Vladimir asked back and pointed at Cheri.
"yes" replied the boy.
"What about you?" Vladimir pointed to the girl on the third row of benches.
"It's hard to believe" the girl commented. "It's just a legend."
"Tomboy girl, I think she's cool and dashing!" Another boy comments while glancing meaningfully at Leah.
The girl kept a flat face.
"Isn't he possessed by a spirit?" Another girl started to open her voice.
"The part I didn't like was when he was burned alive. That's too extreme" another child commented.
"Leah!" Vladimir finally pointed at Leah. "What do you think?"
"I don't think there's anything happier than following the path we believe in" Leah commented. "I think Joan died with satisfaction from having fulfilled God's will. He was very young and had a holy heart. Although the miracle that happened caused his death, he would have no regrets at all."
"That's it, huh?" comments of some people.
"His name is also Leah" someone praised him. "The opinion is always deep."
"Joan, are you happy to submit to God?" Vladimir suddenly turned to Cheri. "Do you really believe in the voice of God that has put you in this position?"
I don't know why that guy's question feels like an insinuation.
"I think Joan is a submissive girl who is willing to do anything as long as it's God's word" commented Cheri thoughtlessly. "Because he loves God, he believes and is happy. That's all."
The whole room is frozen.
Vladimir bowed towards the girl with the intensity of a burning gaze.
Cheri stared back at him half a pout.
Some children started whispering.
One of them even muttered cynically, "So it felt like there was a mysterious spark between the two of them."
Sounded giggling.
"I have a bad feeling" another whispered.
"It seems a bit dangerous" another quipped.
The atmosphere on the back bench started to sound boisterous.
"Group!" Demian looked back and glared at the gossipers so they fell silent.
"A very simple answer" Vladimir snorted. "Don't forget, because of that Joan had a tragic life" he said. "And this scenario of Rafael Moscovich describes the tragedy precisely" he said, grinning. "Joan obeyed God's words, but in the end, God himself even left him."
Cheri clenched his teeth without a trace.
"While God had commanded Joan to go to war and take away her happy life, God did not save her from being burned. In other words, it's a sad story about God-controlled dolls." Vladimir. "The tragedy of a marionette!"
Cheri clenched his mouth while flinching with a cold face.
Leah and Demian glanced at Cheri with concerned looks.
Cheri was still flinching expressionlessly, while Vladimir turned his body back to the girl and returned to his original position.
"Everyone is standing!" Vladimir instructed as he patted his hands together. "Envacate the training ground. We start from the scene of Joan being accepted by the crown prince for the first time."
The entire room turned rowdy in an instant.