The Crimson Unicorn

Morning, shot of the front of a school. Students either loitering around or filing into the building. Students consist of humans, kikimoras, inari, trolls, cockatrices, and other such mild-mannered monsters.

Anon: (Narrating) "This is a place where nobody really does anything interesting. Each day is the same. Everyone comes, do their schoolwork, and the guys and monsters playfully flirt in this weird, shy way. But I don't really care for that coy shit."

Bell rings signaling for students to hurry to their classrooms. Shot changes to a bored Anon sitting at his desk, waiting for the teacher to arrive and class to start.

Anon: (Narrating) "None of the monsters at this school challenge anyone. They just roll over at the first sign of conflict, not that there is a ton of that here anyways. I'm not asking for some hellhound or something to just dominate the school and have to bring her down a notch, but would it kill anyone to have a debate around here?"

A door off-screen opens and the teacher walks in to her desk with someone following behind.

Teacher: (Off-screen) "Class, we have a new student today."

Anon perks up slightly as the teacher introduces the new student. Shot switches to the front of the class. Teacher is off to the side, a salamander with auburn hair and emerald eyes is centered in front of the class. Soft indecernable murmurs from some of the other students.

Teacher: "This is Amelia."

Amelia takes a polite bow as she greets the class.

Amelia: "I hope we can all get along."

Teacher: "Everyone, welcome her to this school and help her out, okay?"

Class responds with aknowledgement in unison, but in their own ways.

Teacher: "Amelia, please take your seat and we'll get class started."

Amelia: "Yes, ma'am."

Amelia heads to an empty desk, one row in front of and three seats over from Anon. She is careful not to disturb anyone's desk on the way to her seat. Anon's attention is piqued on this new girl in school. An interesting addition to such a boring place. Camera now pointing at Amelia from Anon's position, slowly panning in while Anon muses to himself. Camera switches focus on Anon as the teacher starts going through her lecture. His expression turns to expectation of disappointment as his thoughts turn to how people in the school hate confrontation.

Anon: (Narrating) "Hmm, a salamander might be some much needed fun here. I wonder how many fights she's been in. I wonder how many she'll start. Doesn't look like she's carrying a sword with her, maybe she prefers setting fights up like an arena. That could make a good betting pool. But who would she actually fight? Not like anyone here would actually go through with it. They're all a bunch of pussies. Maybe I should challenge her first to get things started."

The school day proceeds on with Anon watching Amelia throughout, taking notes about how she acts. Amelia is very polite to everyone and seems to not really bother them. At lunch, Anon walks up to the table she is eating lunch with a handful of other monsters. As Anon approaches, the cockatrice at the table gets startled and runs off, all the monsters watch her as she flees, but quickly turn their attention to Anon.

Anon: "I noticed you seem like you're keeping a low profile around here."

The rest of the monsters get up from the table and leave Amelia to talk to Anon alone, sensing something is happening and they shouldn't be around for it.

Amelia: "Well, it's just that I want to know what things are like around here. Everyone seems friendly though."

Anon: "Looking for the right people, huh? Or maybe the right person? I can respect that. Most of these people wouldn't be up for some fun anyways. Tell you what, after school, go home, get ready, and meet me in the park by the pharmacy. There's a clearing we could use where nobody would bother us. What do you say?"

Amelia blushes deeply at the thoughts Anon invoked with his statement. She excuses herself quickly taking her lunch with her to find a new table to eat with.

Amelia: "I-I'm not sure I'll be ready, but I'll see you there."

Anon watches her leave, slightly confused at her wording, but let's it go. He got a fight planned and is eagerly looking forward to it. The rest of the day goes by with various students whispering about Anon and Amelia meeting at the park later. The monsters give him disgusted looks before turning away and the boys just stare in disbelief. It sounds as if word spread quickly, which Anon liked since it means Amelia cannot back down now. At the end of the day, the students are still whispering about Anon and Amelia and everyone avoids getting to close to him. He spots Amelia in front of the school talking to some other monsters. The monsters talking to Amelia point Anon out to her. When she looks over at him, she blushes again and runs off in the opposite direction Anon is headed. Anon is getting excited and starts rushing home.

Anon enters his room, shouting to his mom.

Anon: "I'm going back out, some of the guys want to practice their form a bit more before the next training session! I might be late!"

He throws his backpack on his bed as digs his long sword prop and larp armor out of his closet.

Anon's mother: "Okay, just don't overdo it out there!"

Anon rushes out of the house and towards the park, where Amelia agreed to meet him.  He arrives a before Amelia and uses the time to put his armor on from his bag. He gets halfway through putting his armor on when Amelia arrives with a unicorn behind her. The unicorn looks to be around the same age as some of the younger teachers at the school. Amelia points out Anon to the unicorn with a bit of a confused face as they approached.

Amelia: "Um, Anon, what's with the armor?"

Anon: "What's with the unicorn?"

Amelia: "I-I just wanted you to meet my mother before you tried to do anything."

Anon: "O-kay, so why did you bring a unicorn?"

Unicorn: "My name is Christina, and Amelia is my daughter."

Anon: "... No really, who is this, Amelia? And where's your weapon?"

Amelia: "Weapon? Didn't you want to propose to me?"

Anon: "Propose?! Where did you get that idea?"

Christina: "I think I need to set something straight here, Anon."

Christina approaches a confused Anon towering over him threateningly as she gives her speech about the conditions of even dating Amelia.

Christina: "First, you will be a perfect gentleman to her at all times. She is a good girl and I will not have any man soil her without first proving his commitment to her. Second, you must prove yourself to be a loyal, loving, and god-fearing man. And there will be NO violence in your relationship with her, otherwise, let's just say things won't be pretty. Understand?"

Christina flashes a knife from under the edge of her sleeve. Anon freezes up before nodding silently agreeing to her terms without even objecting. Christina starts walking off.

Christina: "Good, now you two can go on your date. Amelia, if you need anything, I won't be far."

Amelia: "Anon, why are you putting on armor?"

Anon: "I-I thought we were going to fight. Isn't that why you came? That's what salamanders do, right?"

Amelia: "Well, I don't really like fighting."

Anon: "What?"

Amelia: "And everyone is already talking about how we're a couple after what happened at lunch. I couldn't just let them think I broke your heart without hearing you out."

Anon: "Wait, hold on, pause. I just wanted something exciting to happen for once. Nothing really happens around here except the occasional larping event, and they're not really much in the way of fighters. I just need some kind of challenge."

Amelia: "Larping?"

Anon: "Yeah, larp. Live Action Role Play. A bunch of nerds get together and hold battles for some story thing whenever they meet. But lately they've been doing a lot more political role play, leaving me with not much to do."

Amelia: "So Anon is secretly a nerd?"

Anon: "What? No, I go just to fight. Everyone else plays as part of some nation while I just hold an auction for whoever wants me on their side for the day. I make a pretty penny each event."

Amelia: "So Anon is a nerdy p-pros.."

Anon: "Amelia, just shut up."

At that moment, Christina peeks out from behind a tree showing her knife to Anon, behind Amelia's back. Anon realizes Christina is not joking around about her conditions.

Anon: "A-alright, Amelia, how about this? You can go home, think things over, and give me an answer at school when you're ready. Like, tomorrow maybe. And I'll be fine if you decline my offer. In no way would I try to deny your answer when you give it to me, even if it was tomorrow. So whether or not you decline, I will respect your decision. Okay?"

Amelia fidgets a bit before agreeing to think things over about Anon and the non-existent offer. The two separate, Amelia and Christina go home while Anon sits in the park for a bit thinking about the day.

Anon: "Just what did I get myself into?"

Shot changes to show Anon coming home that evening, but upon entering he sees his mother sitting in the living room talking with Christina.

Anon: "Mom, I'm back!"

Anon's mother: "Welcome back Anon."

Christina: "Good to see you again so soon, Anon."

Anon: "Uhh..."

Anon's Mother: "Christina told me about what happened this afternoon. How could you be so embarrassed about asking a girl out? You could've just said so."

Anon: "Wait, how did-"

Christina: "Oh, you know how children can be sometimes, Loraine. Helen has been difficult herself lately, I am hoping that moving somewhere quieter will help."

Loraine: "Well, as long as my son doesn't cause you too much trouble, I'm sure everything will work out."

Anon's father comes home from work and see the surprise guest visiting with his wife.

Anon's Father: "Honey, I'm home. Who's our guest tonight?"

Loraine: "David, this is Christina. Our boy asked one of her daughters out today!"

Anon: "Hold on, that's not wha-"

David: "A unicorn, huh? To be honest, I thought Anon would've tried going out to find a manticore or something on the east side of the city. Well, looks like everything is working out alright."

Christina: "Anon does seem a bit, energetic, but I came over because Amelia is actually a salamander. So I was hoping to talk about chaperoning their dates through these active years to make sure everything goes smoothly."

David: "Wait, you're daughter is a salamander?"

Loraine: "I don't mean to pry, but how did you have a salamander for a daughter, if you don't mind me asking?"

Anon: "All this time and that didn't come up?"

Loraine: "Anon!"

Christina: "Her biological parents died while she was still an infant, and being the mother's best friend growing up, my husband and I decided to take their daughter in."

Loraine: "Oh my, I'm so sorry, dear."

An alarm goes off signalling to Loraine that dinner is done and needs to be taken out of the oven. She goes to get it out and invites Christina to stay for dinner. Christina politely refuses and mentions how she should get home to her own family and help Amelia finish preparing dinner. At the dinner table Loraine and David talk to Anon about being polite to Amelia and her family and how to be a man for a lady. Anon cannot get a word in edgewise about what's actually going on.

David: "Son, there are some things you need to know about courting a lady."

Anon: "Dad, it's not like that."

Loraine: "Anon, it's deviant to play with a woman's heart like that and I know I raised you better than that."

Anon: "I'm just looking for something to do since everything went to-"

David: "It may seem like a game to you now, but you need to be careful not to do anything that you'll regret later. Treat that Amelia girl right, and you may just find she really is the one for you. You hear me?"

Anon: "But-"

David: "No buts, son. You need to grow up and learn to handle things like a man."

Loraine: "That's right, dear. If it wasn't for the extra money you make in that game you play in the park, we would've taken you out of it and pushed you to do something better with your time. Maybe a real fencing team."

David: "Even if she is a salamander, she's being raised by a unicorn, so you really need to protect her. I don't want to hear about you breaking her heart just because you weren't serious."

Anon: "... I just have to ask. How did the unicorn find where we lived?"

The whole table stops eating for a moment as nobody can answer that question.

Anon is at school at his desk talking with a male student. Anon has just explained what happened last night with Christina visiting his house.

Nick: "No explaination?"

Anon: "None. It's kinda horrifying honestly. I just wanted to fight again but now I have Amelia's 'mom' breathing down my neck about marrying her."

Nick: "Fuck man."

Anon: "Hopefully Amelia just tells me off and the unicorn leaves me alone. I don't want to deal with an actual murderer."

Amelia enters the classroom. She sees Anon at his desk but looks away blushing. After a moment she goes to his desk. Nick steps back to give them room but stays to watch what happens. Amelia holds out a wood carving, a feather painted blue.

Amelia: "Umm, Anon."

Anon: "What's this?"

Amelia: "It's a blue feather. I would like you to have it."

Anon: "Ok, but why?"

Amelia: "We're young, but when we grow up, it'll serve as my promise to you."

Anon: (visibly confused) "What? What promise? What are you talking about?"

Amelia: "I-I decided that I will stay by your side. Even if it saves one other girl from you I wou-"

Anon: "Wait, wait wait, wait, save a girl from me? What the hell are you talking about? I just wanted to have a fucking fight!"

The classroom goes quiet with Anon's exclamation. Unfortunately for him the teacher was in the room and now staring at him and Amelia.

Teacher: "Anon, Amelia, I think you two need to speak with the principal before class starts."

Amelia and Anon are sitting in chairs outside the principal's office holding the slips they need to bring back to their teacher. Anon is irritated while Amelia is tense. Something weighs on Amelia as they wait to be let in.

Anon: "Damnit, if you had just fought me in the park yesterday we wouldn't even be here right now, you flaming lizard. But no, I'm being stalked by your unicorn mom and now everyone is getting weird ideas about us. Why don't you just fight? Isn't that what salamanders are supposed to do?"

Amelia stays silent under Anon's verbal abuse. After another moment of silence the principal open his door and invites them in.

Principal: "Alright you two, let me see those slips."
Amelia and Anon walk past handing him the slips. The principal sits behind his desk reading over the slips and starts going through the student records for their files. He pulls up their files and starts looking them over. After about a minute he begins talk to them.

Principal: "So Anon, from the note here you yelled something about wanting to fight Amelia before class started, while Amelia was trying to give you a gift?"

Neither student speaks up.

Principal: "Amelia, I have to commend you for not fighting Anon. I know how hard it is being the new student to the school and how you need to prove yourself to fit in, especially with your natural instincts as a salamander. But Anon, you know better. You've been here long enough about what's not acceptable on school grounds. Another incident like this and I will have to suspend you indefinitely."

The principal signs both sheets and hands them back to the two.

Principal: "You two can return to class now. "

Amelia: "Yes sir."
Anon and Amelia leaves the office closing the door behind them.

Shot switches to Anon carrying his duffel bag and prop long sword through the park towards an area where a phantom and her son are setting up the area for today's event. Much to Anon's annoyance, this includes folding tables and chairs set up for a conference for each nation and their choice representatives.

Anon: "Morning Janice, morning Greg. Need a hand?"

Janice: "Hey Anon. If you don't mind, could you start placing the chairs around the tables please?"

Anon: "No problem."

Janice: "Thanks."

Anon begins picking up the plastic folding chairs and setting them up around the makeshift conference table.

Greg: "Hey Anon, you gonna finally join a nation and actually help the story along?"

Anon: "You know I dont care much for what the nations do. I'm just looking to make some trouble."

Janice: "Breaking into the counsul would cause enough trouble you might get them at war again."

Anon: "Yeah, but if I'm to keep fighting as I do, I can't just piss everyone off. Gotta let them get at each others throats."

Greg: "Or just challenge Vicky again. Maybe one of the other nations will join in."

Anon: "Nah, the point is I need to finally beat her on my own. Besides, I don't think any of the nations care that much about me."

Janice: "Suit yourself. It's probably gonna be another dull day for you though."

Anon: "Yeah, yeah. Speaking of dull days, how's the shop doing?"

Janice: "Little slow, no major releases this quarter, but the card singles and snacks keep us going."

Anon: "I thought a new set was coming out for mtg in a couple weeks."

Greg: "Nope, you're probably thinking about the set from two months ago."

Janice: "Or in three months, take your pick."

Anon finishes setting up the chairs and takes a seat to talk a bit more while they're waiting.

Anon: "I take it Dan's minding the shop today, or did you finally convince Chloe to help out?"

Janice: "It's Dan, Chloe is still refusing to get involved in 'nerdy games' while going to her drama club. Even though these are basically the same thing. She can be so difficult sometimes."

Anon: "Eh, I never did get drama. There's enough of it in the world why would anyone want to see others drama?"

Greg: "Stick around and you might see why."

Anon: "Nah, if it's just more talking, I might as well go see what else there is to do today. Have fun guys."

Anon walks away from he park and through town until he comes upon an art street market down town among the 4 story buildings. There were lots of interesting paintings and crafts lining the street that was closed so attendees could freely walk between the booths. Anon stops at a particular booth selling wooden figures and statues. A sign claiming each piece carved by hand, a price tag on each item, staffed solely by a kind-looking man dressed a long sleeve buttondown shirt and slacks.

Vendor: "Welcome, see anything you like?"

Anon: "Just looking around right now. You carved all these yourself?"

Vendor: "Oh no, my wife is the one who makes these. She's been carving wood pretty much all her life. Many of these works are even done as a single piece."

The man holds up a crucifix made of birch with amazing attention to detail for its size, showing off what his wife can do.

Vendor: "She's not here today though."

Anon: "No?"

Vendor: "A couple of our girls had a track meet and she wanted to see them race."

Anon: "So you're here by yourself, huh?"

Vendor: "No, our oldest daughter is helping me out. She's just getting lunch for us right now. She should be back soon."

Anon is examining statues that are particularly interesting. A flying harpy adorned in flowers, a werewolf carrying a basket of some fruit, a salamander drawing a bow back, a man sleeping under a dryad's shade, and so many others.

Vendor: "Hey son, how old are you?"

Anon: "I'm sorry, what?"

Vendor: "You have a girlfriend?"

Anon is quite shocked at the sudden questions .

Anon: "Uh, no, why?"

Vendor: "You look like a good kid, why don't you stick around and meet my daughter?"

Anon: "What? I-I..."

Vendor: "I don't mean for you to marry her right away but she's recently got involved with this one guy at school who sounds li-"

Amelia: "Dad, lunch is here!"

Amelia appears from behind the sales stall next to the man and hands him a bag with to-go plates from a nearby restaurant. Amelia notices Anon on the other side of the display table.

Amelia's dad: "Thanks dear."

Amelia: "Anon, what're you doing here?"

Anon freezes up for a second. Amelia's dads attention is focused on Anon, realizing who he is.

Anon: "Amelia, I-I was just walking by. This is your dad?"

Amelia: "Yeah. Wait here, I'll be right back, I just have to, err, take care of something real quick."

Amelia rushes off again leaving Anon and her dad alone again. Anon is frightened of his current predicament. The man calls Anon's attention while glaring at him.

Amelia's dad: "Anon, let me just make one thing clear. My daughters are not some conquest to leave behind once you are done. If you lay one finger on ANY of my girls..."

The man leans in closer to whisper to Anon.

Amelia's dad: "They won't find the body. Understand?"

Anon is just about ready to cry but holds back and just nods to him.

Amelia's dad : "Good. Now if there's anything here you might want, let me know and i can wrap it for you."

Anon stands around waiting for Amelia to return under threat of her dad watching him. A few minutes later she returns and start talking to Anon.

Amelia: "Sorry to keep you waiting, Anon."

Amelia's dad: "Don't worry about him, dear. He's a man, he can wait. Right, Anon?"

Anon: "Uh, yeah. It's no problem. So your mom makes these, huh?"

Amelia: "Yeah, she's really good with her knife. Sometimes doesn't even pick up a chisel for these."

Anon: "Really?"

Amelia: "Yeah, if she was here today she'd take commissions for custom sculptures. If you wanted something simple enough, she could have it done in a few minutes."

Anon: "Amazing."

Amelia's dad: "Hey Anon, what's in the bag? You hiding something?"

Anon: "Oh, this, uhh, there was a thing that was happening at the park, but got called off at the last minute. I just haven't taken it back home yet."

Amelia: "Was it that lep thing?"

Anon: "I, uhh, think you mean larp, and yeah it was."

Amelia's dad: "Larp? What kind of nerd are you?"

Anon: "I-I just go for the combat."

Amelia's dad: "Of course you do."

Anon: "Anyways, I think I should get going. I'll see you later Amelia, nice meeting you, umm."

Joseph: "Joseph."

Anon: "Right, Joseph. Can I call you Joe?"

Joseph: "No."

Anon: "O-okay, well, bye."

Anon runs off towards his house. Amelia and Joseph are eating lunch at their stall when Amelia gets an idea.

Amelia: "Dad do you think mom would teach me to handle a sword?"

Joseph: "What's this now?"

Amelia: "I was just thinking, maybe I should try to fight him, at least at his game thingy."

Joseph: "Why's that?"

Amelia: "Well, maybe if I beat him he'll just calm down and we can talk like reasonable people."

Joseph: "Well, I don't think Christina knows too much about swords, but if they allow it you might be able to do some archery at that larp. But do you have the name of it?"

Amelia: "Oh, um, no, I'm going to have to ask Anon for it."

Woman: "Excuse me."

A woman with short black hair looking at the figures interrupts Amelia and Joseph.

Woman: "Are you looking for a larp game?"

Amelia: "Oh, yes actually. Though I'm looking for one in particular."

Woman: "There's one that happens weekly at the park a few blocks over called Six Kingdoms that I usually fight in. Though they've been just talking alot these last few weeks."

Amelia: "That sounds like the one Anon was talking about."

Woman: "You know Anon?"

Amelia: "Yeah, we're in the same class. He keeps challenging me to fight and I think I'll actually try it."

Woman: "Hmm."

The woman pulls out an old receipt and a pen and starts writing the url for the larp's website.

Woman: "Go to this forum, read the rules, and register. We'll help you get started, just be sure to join the Ruby Clans and help us out."

The woman gives a smirk as she hands Amelia the paper.

Woman: "My name's Vicky by the way."

Amelia: "Amelia."

Vicky: "Well, Amelia, I gotta go take care of a few things but I hope to see you on the battlefield soon. Bye now."

Vicky walks away.

Amelia: "That was nice of her."

Joseph: (sighs) "Well, if this is what god intended, I'll talk to Christina about helping you get ready. Just let us know what you'll need."

Amelia: "Right."

Amelia pulls out her phone and starts loading up the site to read the rules and guidelines and register.

Camera switches to the park where the game is wrapping up for the day. Anon makes it back in time to help clean up as people are chatting about how things went. He walks up to Greg, who is helping with the clean up, to find out how things went. Greg notices him as he approaches.

Greg: "Anon, I thought you were gone for the day. What brings you back?"

Anon starts folding the tables up while Greg and Janice finish gathering the chairs.

Anon: "Had a run-in with a certain someone at the street fair and needed somewhere to disappear to."

Greg: "Man, you really have a way of pissing people off, don't you?"

Anon: "Don't start on that, it was ONE time and I said I was sorry."

Greg: (chuckles) "Ahh, don't worry, water under the bridge. It was pretty funny freaking my sister out with the salt and holy water though."

Anon: (chuckles) "Yeah, but I'm still worried about how your mom found where I live."

Anon looks over to Janice who gives him a smirk remembering the incident after the attempted exorcism.

Anon: "Anyways, how'd the game go today?"

Greg: "Negotiations are breaking down, predictably. Nobody but the diamonds are agreeing to topaz' non-aggression proposal still and the sapphires are looking for any excuse to declaw emerald. And as usual emerald, ruby, and amethyst are still at each others throats bragging about who has the best fighters. The fighting might even pick back up next week right in the middle of the counsel."

Anon: "Trying to get me to sit down for talking still?"

Greg: "I'm just trying to give you something to do man. It's been 3 weeks already. If you wanna stay in the game you might need to just give in and join someone."

Anon: "Maybe..."

Anon checks to see Janice turned around loading the folding chairs into her minivan and closes in on Greg.

Anon: (Hushed voice) "The money's too good to just throw away though. If I join a nation I can kiss that goodbye."

Greg: (pulls back) "Eh, suit yourself. Just if things go better next week you'll still be sitting on your hands for a while."

Anon: "I'll take my chances."

Anon finishes folding the last table as Janice walks up.

Janice: "Thanks again, Anon. See you next week?"

Anon: "Maybe, sounds like I might want to stay close at least."

Janice: "Alright, bye Anon."

Janice and Greg pick up the tables to load into the minivan.

Greg: "See ya later."

Anon: "See ya."

Anon continues home as Greg and Janice finish loading the last of the furniture.

Shot shows Anon sitting down to his computer, logging onto the larp forums, and seeing he has a message.

Anon: "Let's see what we have here."

Anon clicks the message and reads it to himself. The message is from a frequent buyer he has never met.

	Greetings, Mercenary.
	The counsel is dragging on too long. Nobody is budging, and the leadership is a mess.  The only way to get
	anything done is with bloodshed.  Next week, I want you to interrupt them by killing Richard in the middle
	of their circle jerk.  I'll leave your payment of $80 in the usual spot before the game.

Anon: "This guy takes the role playing a bit too seriously." (beat) "As long as he's paying."

Loraine pokes her head into Anon's room.

Loraine: "Anon, dear. Get your larp gear ready tomorrow. Christina invited us to join them at church tomorrow and suggested that you can help Amelia learn to play."

Anon looks at Loraine with a look of confusion and surprise.

Anon: "What?"

The next morning, a vehicle carrying Anon and his parents pull up in front of a small church with no major notable features other than the graveyard behind it.