Freelancers Presents:
The Post-Chapter Interlude!
Episode 2: Cultural Awareness!

[Scene opens with each member of the cast of Freelancers (thus far) seated in an auditorium, an empty stage set in front of them. There is some murmuring from the group, and within the audience we see Misfara turn around and start addressing the camera.]

 Misfara (keeping her voice low): Today we’re in for a special treat! We’re going to get a lesson in the mannerisms and terms of our Islander associates! Both Narek and Dietra will conduct today’s session… I can’t wait to see what they have to say!

[Lights start to dim]

Misfara: Oooh! It looks like it’s time to start!

[Misfara spins around in her seat just as Narek makes his way across the stage, with Dietra close behind.]

 Narek: (clears throat) If I may have your attention please…

[There is still some murmuring in the audience…]

 Dietra: QUIET!!

[…which suddenly ceases as several sweat-drops appear throughout the crowd. Narek stares at Dietra for a second, who smiles, holds out her hand, and beckons him to continue.]

 Narek: Er, thanks. (Faces the crowd) OK, we’re here to give you a lesson on a few Islander terms that’ll be tossed around here and there throughout the course of this story. Without further ado, I’ll let Dietra explain a couple of things in regards to some of the naming conventions that will be used, for the sake of…

[Dietra suddenly stiff-arms Narek out of the way, who sits motionless in midair for a moment before flailing his arms wildly and falling offstage with a loud shout.]

 Narek: GAAAAAAH!

Dietra: You talk too much, Narek.

[Dietra suddenly pulls down a massive screen from nowhere, which contains the following chart, which looks to have been hastily scribbled.]

Dietra (now with a pointer): Now, Dietra realize that many of you used to using different names for Islanders… this changes now. On chart, we have stupid human names for Islanders, followed by correct term in Islander speak!

[At this point, Narek crawls back on stage, albeit with a massive band-aid on his head.]

 Narek: This more ethnic naming convention came about during the Realmwalkers saga, seeing as our illustrious writer wanted to use something that sounded more authentic. For our purposes, we’ll be switching between the two conventions to get you more accustomed to it all. So don’t worry, we’re not insulting Dietra or Father Sardax when we call them Kutossi…

Dietra (standing defiantly): Kutossi GOOD name!

Narek: …we’re just saying that they are what many of you are used to calling a Chameleon.

[Dietra points at the chart, then looks directly at the camera.]

 Dietra: The only name you Humans get right is Tegosian!

Narek: Er, right. Now, the second issue we’d like to address is that between Wilder and Civil Islanders…

Dietra: You not very civil, Narek.

[Narek glares as a projection pops up on screen of Narek walking, the image looking as if it were drawn in crayons.]

 Narek: Basically, you’ve got two types of Islanders that you’ll run into. The first that you’ll find are the Civil, like myself here. I wasn’t born anywhere in the Islands, but I’m still of that descent. However, since I was born and raised on mainland Orcana, you’ll notice that my accent isn’t as prominent, and that I dress like a number of our human associates.

[Onscreen, Narek runs into Dietra, who also looks as if she has been drawn by crayons. Crayola-Dietra looks at the screen and boots Narek off.]

Narek: Dietra, on the other hand, was not only born in the Islands, but one of the more rural parts as well. She’s lived in Orcana for a couple of years now, but in the eyes of a lot of the native citizenry, she seems a bit on the savage side, hence the term Wilder. Sparser clothing, typically a lack of footwear, and a modest grasp of the Human tongue easily distinguish our Wilder brothers and sisters. But don’t think they’re stupid, oh no, not by a long shot. Dietra here for example is one smart girl…

Dietra: …and can kick loudmouth butt!

[The screen lifts back up as the lights come back on.]

 Narek: Well, I believe that covers everything. Of course, if there are any questions, you are all more than welcomed to…

[Narek is suddenly silenced as Dietra stiff-arms him offstage again. His arms flail about madly before he goes crashing to the ground once again]

 Narek: GAAAAAAH!

Dietra: Narek talk too much! Now we get back to story!

[Everyone files out of the auditorium, and a moment later the lights go out. A couple of moments later…]

 Narek (very weakly): Ouch…