Lenore:
Ah, Rover. One moment, I'm just finishing up with these rocks!
Rover:
Why are they having you break rocks? And this many?
Lenore:
The man in charge of it wanted to help the Troupe of Fools unload supplies, so I switched with him!
Rover:
...
Lenore:
No, no, no. Not at all! Mr. Fratello said all I need to do is "ignite" the hidden perseverance inside of me, and these rocks will be done in no time!
Rover:
Here, leave it to me.
Lenore:
Huh?
Rover:
There, all done. Come on, let's go meet the Troupe of Fools.
Lenore:
Okay...
Rover:
The Troupe's made up of pilgrims. Is that why you're afraid to see them?
Lenore:
No, it's not like that. I'm just not prepared...
Rover:
Well, you're in luck. The Troupe of Fools appreciates people who come unprepared.
Lenore:
Huh?
Bardolino:
Haha, perfect timing, dear {Male=boy;Female=girl}! I've got a new play in the works, and I'm in dire need of a nimble hero!
Bardolino:
And you, you'd be splendid too! How about playing a young Acolyte, lost and anxious, grappling with her faith and future?
Lenore:
You must be Mr. Bardolino? I recognize you! I used to love watching your performances when I was a child!
Bardolino:
Nonsense, are you saying you don't love watching them now? Well, these days I do walk the wire. Perhaps not everyone's cup of tea.
Lenore:
No, no, I didn't mean it that way... I'm sorry!
Andreas:
Stop teasing her, you old clown.
Bardolino:
Andreas! We've been partners for how long now? Where's the chemistry? My punchline hasn't landed yet!
Andreas:
I'm sorry, Miss. This old man made a bet to tell a hundred jokes in a day. He's still twenty-one jokes short and starting to sweat, ha!
Bardolino:
No, no, the {Male=boy;Female=girl} laughed at what I just said. I myself have become the twenty-first joke, so only twenty more to go now!
Lenore:
Andreas? The Andreas Brizio?
Andreas:
Hang on... Are you one of those debt collectors? Listen, I'm a professional financial advisor! Whatever Captain Brant owes you, it's not valid without a proper IOU!
Lenore:
I'm Lenore. Don't you remember me?
Bardolino:
Or a joke?
Andreas:
Ah, I remember now! You must be Ms. Lenore from the something-something Archive of the Sanctuary Affairs Bureau, right? You sent me sympathy letters after I applied for the Order's aid.
Andreas:
They didn't give me a single penny, but your words back then meant the world. Thank you.
Lenore:
If only I could've done more for you...
Bardolino:
Ha, good thing you didn't! Otherwise, he'd never have ruffled the Order's feathers and ended up on a Pilgrim's Sail branded as a Fool. He'd just be a dull, Credit-counting merchant the rest of his life.
Bardolino:
Well, I admit that one was a bit dark, but a joke is a joke. That's nineteen.
Lenore:
If only I'd noticed the Order's plans sooner. If only I... No, no matter how early, I couldn't have done anything... I'm sorry.
Andreas:
Ah... I see what this is all about. The girl survived, but can't think straight.
Bardolino:
In technical terms, this is known as the Survivor's Guilt-induced Awkwardness Syndrome. Many newcomers to the Troupe of Fools have it. Give her the old treatment, Andreas.
Andreas:
With pleasure!
Andreas:
Now, listen to me carefully, Ms. Lenore—I want you to grab every unhappy thought you've got... and direct it squarely at Captain Brant!
Lenore:
Huh?
Andreas:
Brant said this himself: "We are the Troupe of Fools, tasked with bringing laughter to the world. If even one person is still sad, then that's on me!"
Lenore:
But I don't even know Mr. Brant.
Andreas:
All the more reason it's a Brant Problem. He claims laughter should reach every corner of the world. Well, clearly it missed yours!
Rover:
Come to think of it, if Brant had put you on the right ship, you wouldn't have ended up in Mournfell Canyon... So really, it is Brant's fault.
Bardolino:
Oh Brant, how could you do such a thing? For shame!
Lenore:
But I was a member of the Order. If it weren't for the Order...
Andreas:
Ms. Lenore, I don't blame a pure soul for being naive. And I won't fault a kind heart for not being kinder.
Andreas:
If you need a reason to live, let it be this: Your letters once saved me. I, Andreas, hope you'll live on.
Bardolino:
Oh, back in the old days, I'd be playing the Nimbus Chorales at a time like this. Such a shame the song's now lost forever!
Lenore:
No, Rover and I brought it back!
Lenore:
It's truly a beautiful song!
Before leaving, Andreas hands Lenore a list of the Troupe's upcoming performances. He invites her to swing by anytime for a show... and maybe yell at Brant a little while she's at it.
Lenore:
I wish to live on, Rover! To work hard and make amends for my mistakes!
Rover:
For what it's worth, I don't think you've made any mistakes.
Lenore:
No, I was a child of the Order. The more kindly everyone treats me, the less I can shamelessly turn my back on it.
Lenore:
I will do my best to live on until everyone forgives the Order. I'm sure that's what the brothers and sisters still serving it believe, too!
Lenore:
Whoa! So you're "the world's strongest" Mr. Fratello was talking about!