Nothing can be hidden forever. A hard lesson for the struggling Name Day to accept as he scrambles across his desk.
The typewriter is still working, and Vila is one step away.
Vila: Mr. Name Day? What is that?
Vila: A telegraph and a typewriter. Could this be a telegram from Rayashki?
Vila: But how would they have gotten it out? We never replaced our machine.
Vila: What could that possibly—
Name Day: No, uhm, no, this is actually from ... my brother!
Name Day: Of course, I-I don't blame you, but you kind of interrupted a private moment ...
Vila squints, eyes glimmering.
Rusalki have extraordinary physical abilities, including sharp eyesight. Reading the print on the typed letter is as effortless as a glance.
Vila: "Your most loyal yet worst friend,"
Vila: "Windsong."
Vila: ...
Vila: I don't intend to accuse you, but I admit, I am confused.
Vila: Is your brother's name really Windsong?
Name Day: ... I ...
Name Day: It's not like that, Ms. Vila, I'm just ...
Vila: I know, I know. I'm only teasing. No need for theatrics.
Vila: Now, would you let me read it?
Name Day: I ... I don't suggest you to ...
Name Day: Oh! Every message or letter the Foundation receives needs to be examined by us. Unfortunately, you can't read it now!
Name Day: This one is still being translated, so I haven't submitted it yet ...
Vila: The era of censorship is long gone, sir.
Vila: Why so nervous?
Vila: It's only a letter from a friend. How dangerous could it be?
Vila: Look, it says, "I wish to hold your hand tightly." Terrifying, isn't it?
Name Day: ...
Name Day falls silent in sync with the telegraph's staccato rhythm.
The tension in the room thickens with the growing moment of silence.
Name Day: If ...
Name Day: If you insist, just go on.
Name Day: It is your letter and your right, after all ...
"Windsong": I am so happy to hear from you finally!
"Windsong": I was so worried that it might be even worse news when I opened the envelope. After all, that's all I have received these days.
"Windsong": It took me quite some time to prepare myself and read it through.
"Windsong": After that, I sent you this telegram immediately.
"Windsong": First, I am so glad to know you and your little warriors are doing well. It really cheers me up after all this bad news.
"Windsong": However, I'm still confused by your decision.
"Windsong": You're going back to Rayashki! But don't you know?
"Windsong": It won't be the town you remembered or the utopia we tried to build.
"Windsong": The "Storm" has changed everything.
"Windsong": It seems the Foundation has concealed the truth from you, but as your friend, I feel I'm obliged to tell you.
"Windsong": As far as I know, the chaos caused by the "Storm" has been around for a long time. Wherever it goes, every building and each person there will be "reversed."
"Windsong": By "reversed," I mean they "vanished."
"Windsong": I have not visited Rayashki yet, but I've been to many other places it has struck. I saw what comes from the "Storm" with my own eyes.
"Windsong": Think about it. Everyone you know may have vanished, and that once-thriving town may only be a ruin now, if anything remains at all.
"Windsong": I'm not exaggerating. This is a common fate for places impacted by the "Storm."
Vila: ...
The "Storm."
A word she has heard from Name Day, now standing before her with guilt etched into his petrified face.
Vila: So ... this is ...
Vila: The truth of the "Storm."
Vila: Isn't it, Mr. Name Day?
Name Day: A-actually, the "Storm" doesn't need to be as serious as Ms. Windsong said in her letter ...
Name Day: S-see? You, Avgust, and other kids are safe and sound in the Foundation.
Name Day: Not vanished, not reversed ...
His voice gets softer and softer, fading until the next sentence fails to emerge at all.
Despite the ability to transform a thing by speaking a name, he finds no name, no word, suitable for the moment.
Vila: It sounds like things have changed there—changed for the worse. Am I right?
Vila tiptoes and gently taps Name Day on the shoulder.
Name Day: Changed, yes, but it will likely not be as chaotic and ruined as you might imagine from Ms. Windsong's letter.
Name Day: Ah, well, I suppose that isn't the point. It's only that, I think you should consider staying here, even after this letter.
Avgust: Hmm ...
Startled by the sound of miniature contemplation, they turn around and see the least likely person to be here.
Vila: AVGUST?!
Name Day: Avgust?
Name Day: When did you ... What are those in your hand?
Name Day: Ah.
Avgust raises the envelope in his hand as if holding up a flag.
Avgust: Look, Vila, so many "eternal souls"!
Avgust: You're here for them, right?
Vila: What are these?
Vila: ...
All her unsent letters, piling up at the corner.
Avgust doesn't know what he has found. To him, it's only a trophy, a means to another flight of sea swallows.
Avgust: Oh, these ones are wearing black dots.
Avgust: Everything will be alright. We can use these for dotted sea swallows.
Avgust: We can make so many new things!
Avgust: Pasono and Nina will be so happy!
Avgust: I hereby declare that you are all "eternal souls"!
Name Day: Avgust ...
Name Day: These are not "eternal souls" ...
Vila: It will be fine.
Vila: Avgust is right, Mr. Name Day.
Vila: They could be anything we think they are, including "eternal souls."
Vila: They're nothing special anymore.
Vila: They aren't going to be of any other use.
Name Day: I'm sorry.
Vila: You don't have to. As I said, you have your job to do, and I ...
Vila: I also have mine, even in this situation.
Vila: breathes out
Vila: I suppose we're lucky you didn't send them. Now the children have some more paper.
