AGONIST, ABRAXASGRIP
DESCRIPTION
The newly formed Harbingers and The Mirthamaniacs discuss the terms of their alliance.
SCRIPT
PAGE 1
EXT. MIRTHAMANIACS TENT - EVENING
Edolon and Seinru stand facing away from the entrance to a great carnival tent; light spills from the tent’s entrance, drawing the couple’s shadows long across the barren field. Edolon has his hands inside the sleeves of his robes, and is nervously glancing back into the tent. Seinru is gently touching Edolon’s arm with one hand, gesturing with the other as she speaks. Her shadow falls longer than it should, and its borders are less defined, bleeding into Edolon’s own and the darkness around them.
SEINRU
I know it doesn’t sit right with you, Dolo. But if there was a better path, we’d have taken it.
EDOLON
you’re right, of course. you often are.
Edolon can’t meet Seinru’s eyes. He glances at the tent.
EDOLON
but we’ve done well on our own until now. al just came on board, too.
EDOLON
can’t we just keep working the way we always did?
PAGE 2
SEINRU
I know the road we’re on is long, and I know the path ahead is dark.
Edolon turns to face Seinru as Seinru’s shadow spreads unnaturally up his arm and to his face, cupping it gently, as if it were a hand.
SEINRU
But I’m here to guide you into the light.
Edolon opens his mouth as if to respond, doubtful. He is interrupted by a flood of sudden light that washes away Seinru’s creeping shadow.
PAGE 3
Pozzol has burst out of the tent, startling him. Seinru stays calm, pulling closer to Edolon as he, too, turns to face Pozzol.
POZZOL
fooling AROUND in THE mud MUST be MIGHTY fun
POZZOL
but IM getting BORED of SPECTATING
SEINRU
I could wait all night for a show like this.
SEINRU
But if you insist, we’ll be right in.
PAGE 4
Pozzol dips back into the tent, scowling. Edolon’s face is split halfway in chiaroscuro between the tent’s light and Seinru’s shadow. He nods, unconvinced, but straightens up before walking into the tent, Seinru at his side.
PAGE 5
INT. MIRTHAMANIACS TENT - EVENING
The tent’s interior is a bare, unwelcoming pit of dust, set up with two foldable tables facing opposite each other. Tall, imposing Mirthamaniacs are scattered at irregular intervals around the tent; some with their arms crossed, some with their hands near their weapons. By the time Seinru and Edolon walk into the tent, Pozzol has already taken a seat on the table on the far side. He glares at them with his arms behind his head as Seinru eases herself into one chair, Edolon gingerly sliding into the other. Seinru tents his hands; Edolon lays them flat on the table, unsure what to do with them.
POZZOL
lets JUST tear TO the CORE of THIS here ACCORD
POZZOL
we HAVE muscle. TRADITION. leverage.
POZZOL
you HAVE whispered PRAYERS and MASKED cowards
POZZOL
just WHAT makes IT worth TAINTING our PURPLE pool WITH the FILTH that FILL your RANKS
PAGE 6
Seinru gently lays his palm over Edolon’s fist. Edolon’s shadow shrinks as Seinru’s grows - Seinru’s shadow vaguely appears to be resting its hand on Edolon’s shoulder.
EDOLON
the mor- we possess an extensive network of contacts. fervent believers.
EDOLON
despite our clear differences, we’re willing to offer you access to it. as a compromise.
POZZOL
seems TO me ITS nothing BUT compromise
POZZOL
but THE bossman IS keen ON this HERE arrangement
POZZOL
so IF working WITH you FREAKS brings US just ONE step CLOSER...
PAGE 7
Edolon leans forward, speaking through gritted teeth. Seinru looks at him with mild concern.
EDOLON
we’d like to add a new clause to our end of the agreement.
EDOLON
you will stop insulting us. now.
POZZOL
you SEEM to BE a MITE confused ABOUT this HERE situation
POZZOL
youre IN no POSITION to BE ordering ANYONE in THIS almighty GATHERING around
POZZOL
LEARN to TAKE a GOOD deal WHEN its OFFERED
POZZOL
or ILL fucking TEACH you
Pozzol’s Mirthamaniacs leer at the Harbingers. Edolon shrinks into Seinru’s shadow. Seinru surges forward to take up the space Edolon frees up, affecting a pacificatory tone.
PAGE 8
SEINRU
I think it may be worth it to consider taking a quick aside - if you could bear to see us go.
Pozzol, arms on the table, as if interrupted in the act of getting out of the chair, looks around the tent, at his Mirthamaniacs, tensed up for a fight.
POZZOL
scurry OFF then
PAGE 9
Seinru leads Edolon to a shadowy ‘corner’ of the tent free of Mirthamaniacs. Edolon is half-lit by the faux-festive lights within the tent; Seinru is brilliant, as if standing in a spotlight.
EDOLON
look how they’re treating us already, seinru.
EDOLON
they don’t want an alliance, they want us to let our guard down.
SEINRU
And it’s their mistake if they think that’s all it’ll take to overcome us.
Seinru strokes Edolon’s cheek. Their fingers glow with light of their own.
SEINRU
We wait, we survive, we grow.
PAGE 10
Edolon smiles a wry smile. Seinru’s spotlight creeps up to the lower half of Edolon’s face.
EDOLON
if they’re our enemies, i have to be sure we can win.
SEINRU
I’m confident in your capacity to find the proper leverage, Dolo.
Edolon smiles his most twisted smile yet, glowering as his face dips into a sinister play of light coming from his phone. He taps a contact with a clown emoji name.
PAGE 11
Enter TALALD, rushing in with a trail of cartoonish smoke, bee-lining for Pozzol.
TALALD
is that a troll bloodpusher???? a real live troll bloodpusher?????
TALALD
i bet they conked out and flopped over on their back like a sleepy little grubby goo when you took it!!!!
TALALD
you took it right??? it must have been you!!! you’re SOOOO strong and tall!!!!! :)))
TALALD
did they scream????? was it the only piece you took????????
POZZOL
what
Edolon and Seinru smugly head for their seats as Talald flits over Pozzol, who is having an impossible time affecting his previous casual chair-lean. Pozzol’s chair loses balance. He nearly falls, and stops himself by clumsily readjusting his weight. Talald disappears with a poof of smoke and reappears at the opposite side.
TALALD
can i touch it???? pleasepleasepleasePLEASE let me touch the bloodpusher
POZZOL
WHAT the FUCK
PAGE 12
Pozzol stands up suddenly, shoving himself away from the table. His chair falls forgotten to the ground. Talald again teleports behind him. Edolon tents his hands on the table and leans forward against them, in a mockery of politeness. Gloom wreathes the Harbingers’ side of the room, threatens to extend towards Pozzol. Seinru watches, lovingly, as their matesprit takes the lead.
EDOLON
we hope you’ll find yourself more amenable to our proposals after our breather.
POZZOL
i HOPE youll FIND yourself AMENABLE to BEING beaten TO a BL-
Pozzol takes a swing at Talald. Talald dives under it with an exaggerated series of motion lines, and pops up again, ramrod straight, smiling inches away from Pozzol.
TALALD
oh PLEASE don’t try to add my bloodpusher to your collection mister maniac sir!!!!!!!
TALALD
not on the first night!!!! ;))
PAGE 13
The Mirthamaniacs guards share an uncomfortable look, awkwardly huddled away from the Harbingers’ table, away from the encroaching shadows.
POZZOL
the ONLY thing I want IS you FREAKS six EXPANSES under
POZZOL
and IM gonna FUCKING get IT if YOU dont CUT the FAIRY shit SHORT
SEINRU
Here I thought yours of all sects would love a good performance.
SEINRU
The last thing we wanted was to start this relationship off on bad terms.
PAGE 14
Pozzol stops swiping at Talald and looks straight at the two negotiators, leaning forward on his club as a purple haze begins to set in his eyes.
POZZOL
oh YOURE pushing IT far BEYOND bad TERMS
POZZOL
and IM past CARING what THE bossman WANTS
SEINRU
It’d be better for all of us if you weren’t.
SEINRU
But if you insist, we’re more than capable of taking all you can give, and more.
PAGE 15
Seinru’s shadow threateningly advances on Pozzol, surrounding him with jagged edges. Pozzol is unaware of this, transfixed by the sheer menace Seinru radiates.
SEINRU
I’ll cut to the chase here, so it’s easy enough for you to follow.
SEINRU
We know the time and place of every purpleblood gathering taking place in the next three sweeps.
Edolon pries his gaze off of Pozzol and looks at Seinru.
SEINRU
We have contacts on the inside, enough bullets and mirthamanical greasepaint to crash however many parties we need to.
SEINRU
I truly hope I don’t need to spell it out for you.
PAGE 16
SEINRU
You may not be afraid of Corporate. But you know as well as I do that your organization depends on its relationship to our hemotype.
Edolon turns back to Pozzol, surprising Seinru as he speaks.
EDOLON
and we could bleed you dry.
Seinru, shocked, gives Edolon a quick look before composing herself. There is a short, tense silence...
TALALD (OS)
that extra bloodpusher won’t help much if you don’t have blood to push!!!
Pozzol crosses his arms, affecting callousness in the face of his total rout. The shadow-spikes slowly retreat.
PAGE 17
POZZOL
well HA ha HA ha HA
POZZOL
PRETTY big BOAST from SUCH a SMALL troll
SEINRU
We have dozens of trolls who would die in a second.
SEINRU
Just to move the hand of fate one hour closer to the night of reckoning.
PAGE 18
SEINRU
We live, breathe, and kill. All for that moment.
SEINRU
We’ll squeeze out every drop of blood at our disposal until we have what we want.
SEINRU
And do you know why, big man?
SEINRU
Because we can’t afford to stop.
SEINRU
Can you?
PAGE 19
Pozzol white knuckle grips his right arm and exhales deeply, defeated.
Hard cut to Seinru pricking the fingers of Pozzol, then Edolon, cupping his hand gently.
PAGE 20
Seinru’s shadow is at its peak in the background, bleeding over each of theirs almost entirely. They all sign a written pact with their own blood.
EXT. MIRTHAMANIACS TENT - EVENING
Edolon and Seinru stand facing away from the entrance to a great carnival tent; light spills from the tent’s entrance, drawing the couple’s shadows long across the barren field. Edolon has his hands inside the sleeves of his robes, and is nervously glancing back into the tent. Seinru is gently touching Edolon’s arm with one hand, gesturing with the other as she speaks. Her shadow falls longer than it should, and its borders are less defined, bleeding into Edolon’s own and the darkness around them.
SEINRU
I know it doesn’t sit right with you, Dolo. But if there was a better path, we’d have taken it.
EDOLON
you’re right, of course. you often are.
Edolon can’t meet Seinru’s eyes. He glances at the tent.
EDOLON
but we’ve done well on our own until now. al just came on board, too.
EDOLON
can’t we just keep working the way we always did?
PAGE 2
SEINRU
I know the road we’re on is long, and I know the path ahead is dark.
Edolon turns to face Seinru as Seinru’s shadow spreads unnaturally up his arm and to his face, cupping it gently, as if it were a hand.
SEINRU
But I’m here to guide you into the light.
Edolon opens his mouth as if to respond, doubtful. He is interrupted by a flood of sudden light that washes away Seinru’s creeping shadow.
PAGE 3
Pozzol has burst out of the tent, startling him. Seinru stays calm, pulling closer to Edolon as he, too, turns to face Pozzol.
POZZOL
fooling AROUND in THE mud MUST be MIGHTY fun
POZZOL
but IM getting BORED of SPECTATING
SEINRU
I could wait all night for a show like this.
SEINRU
But if you insist, we’ll be right in.
PAGE 4
Pozzol dips back into the tent, scowling. Edolon’s face is split halfway in chiaroscuro between the tent’s light and Seinru’s shadow. He nods, unconvinced, but straightens up before walking into the tent, Seinru at his side.
PAGE 5
INT. MIRTHAMANIACS TENT - EVENING
The tent’s interior is a bare, unwelcoming pit of dust, set up with two foldable tables facing opposite each other. Tall, imposing Mirthamaniacs are scattered at irregular intervals around the tent; some with their arms crossed, some with their hands near their weapons. By the time Seinru and Edolon walk into the tent, Pozzol has already taken a seat on the table on the far side. He glares at them with his arms behind his head as Seinru eases herself into one chair, Edolon gingerly sliding into the other. Seinru tents his hands; Edolon lays them flat on the table, unsure what to do with them.
POZZOL
lets JUST tear TO the CORE of THIS here ACCORD
POZZOL
we HAVE muscle. TRADITION. leverage.
POZZOL
you HAVE whispered PRAYERS and MASKED cowards
POZZOL
just WHAT makes IT worth TAINTING our PURPLE pool WITH the FILTH that FILL your RANKS
PAGE 6
Seinru gently lays his palm over Edolon’s fist. Edolon’s shadow shrinks as Seinru’s grows - Seinru’s shadow vaguely appears to be resting its hand on Edolon’s shoulder.
EDOLON
the mor- we possess an extensive network of contacts. fervent believers.
EDOLON
despite our clear differences, we’re willing to offer you access to it. as a compromise.
POZZOL
seems TO me ITS nothing BUT compromise
POZZOL
but THE bossman IS keen ON this HERE arrangement
POZZOL
so IF working WITH you FREAKS brings US just ONE step CLOSER...
PAGE 7
Edolon leans forward, speaking through gritted teeth. Seinru looks at him with mild concern.
EDOLON
we’d like to add a new clause to our end of the agreement.
EDOLON
you will stop insulting us. now.
POZZOL
you SEEM to BE a MITE confused ABOUT this HERE situation
POZZOL
youre IN no POSITION to BE ordering ANYONE in THIS almighty GATHERING around
POZZOL
LEARN to TAKE a GOOD deal WHEN its OFFERED
POZZOL
or ILL fucking TEACH you
Pozzol’s Mirthamaniacs leer at the Harbingers. Edolon shrinks into Seinru’s shadow. Seinru surges forward to take up the space Edolon frees up, affecting a pacificatory tone.
PAGE 8
SEINRU
I think it may be worth it to consider taking a quick aside - if you could bear to see us go.
Pozzol, arms on the table, as if interrupted in the act of getting out of the chair, looks around the tent, at his Mirthamaniacs, tensed up for a fight.
POZZOL
scurry OFF then
PAGE 9
Seinru leads Edolon to a shadowy ‘corner’ of the tent free of Mirthamaniacs. Edolon is half-lit by the faux-festive lights within the tent; Seinru is brilliant, as if standing in a spotlight.
EDOLON
look how they’re treating us already, seinru.
EDOLON
they don’t want an alliance, they want us to let our guard down.
SEINRU
And it’s their mistake if they think that’s all it’ll take to overcome us.
Seinru strokes Edolon’s cheek. Their fingers glow with light of their own.
SEINRU
We wait, we survive, we grow.
PAGE 10
Edolon smiles a wry smile. Seinru’s spotlight creeps up to the lower half of Edolon’s face.
EDOLON
if they’re our enemies, i have to be sure we can win.
SEINRU
I’m confident in your capacity to find the proper leverage, Dolo.
Edolon smiles his most twisted smile yet, glowering as his face dips into a sinister play of light coming from his phone. He taps a contact with a clown emoji name.
PAGE 11
Enter TALALD, rushing in with a trail of cartoonish smoke, bee-lining for Pozzol.
TALALD
is that a troll bloodpusher???? a real live troll bloodpusher?????
TALALD
i bet they conked out and flopped over on their back like a sleepy little grubby goo when you took it!!!!
TALALD
you took it right??? it must have been you!!! you’re SOOOO strong and tall!!!!! :)))
TALALD
did they scream????? was it the only piece you took????????
POZZOL
what
Edolon and Seinru smugly head for their seats as Talald flits over Pozzol, who is having an impossible time affecting his previous casual chair-lean. Pozzol’s chair loses balance. He nearly falls, and stops himself by clumsily readjusting his weight. Talald disappears with a poof of smoke and reappears at the opposite side.
TALALD
can i touch it???? pleasepleasepleasePLEASE let me touch the bloodpusher
POZZOL
WHAT the FUCK
PAGE 12
Pozzol stands up suddenly, shoving himself away from the table. His chair falls forgotten to the ground. Talald again teleports behind him. Edolon tents his hands on the table and leans forward against them, in a mockery of politeness. Gloom wreathes the Harbingers’ side of the room, threatens to extend towards Pozzol. Seinru watches, lovingly, as their matesprit takes the lead.
EDOLON
we hope you’ll find yourself more amenable to our proposals after our breather.
POZZOL
i HOPE youll FIND yourself AMENABLE to BEING beaten TO a BL-
Pozzol takes a swing at Talald. Talald dives under it with an exaggerated series of motion lines, and pops up again, ramrod straight, smiling inches away from Pozzol.
TALALD
oh PLEASE don’t try to add my bloodpusher to your collection mister maniac sir!!!!!!!
TALALD
not on the first night!!!! ;))
PAGE 13
The Mirthamaniacs guards share an uncomfortable look, awkwardly huddled away from the Harbingers’ table, away from the encroaching shadows.
POZZOL
the ONLY thing I want IS you FREAKS six EXPANSES under
POZZOL
and IM gonna FUCKING get IT if YOU dont CUT the FAIRY shit SHORT
SEINRU
Here I thought yours of all sects would love a good performance.
SEINRU
The last thing we wanted was to start this relationship off on bad terms.
PAGE 14
Pozzol stops swiping at Talald and looks straight at the two negotiators, leaning forward on his club as a purple haze begins to set in his eyes.
POZZOL
oh YOURE pushing IT far BEYOND bad TERMS
POZZOL
and IM past CARING what THE bossman WANTS
SEINRU
It’d be better for all of us if you weren’t.
SEINRU
But if you insist, we’re more than capable of taking all you can give, and more.
PAGE 15
Seinru’s shadow threateningly advances on Pozzol, surrounding him with jagged edges. Pozzol is unaware of this, transfixed by the sheer menace Seinru radiates.
SEINRU
I’ll cut to the chase here, so it’s easy enough for you to follow.
SEINRU
We know the time and place of every purpleblood gathering taking place in the next three sweeps.
Edolon pries his gaze off of Pozzol and looks at Seinru.
SEINRU
We have contacts on the inside, enough bullets and mirthamanical greasepaint to crash however many parties we need to.
SEINRU
I truly hope I don’t need to spell it out for you.
PAGE 16
SEINRU
You may not be afraid of Corporate. But you know as well as I do that your organization depends on its relationship to our hemotype.
Edolon turns back to Pozzol, surprising Seinru as he speaks.
EDOLON
and we could bleed you dry.
Seinru, shocked, gives Edolon a quick look before composing herself. There is a short, tense silence...
TALALD (OS)
that extra bloodpusher won’t help much if you don’t have blood to push!!!
Pozzol crosses his arms, affecting callousness in the face of his total rout. The shadow-spikes slowly retreat.
PAGE 17
POZZOL
well HA ha HA ha HA
POZZOL
PRETTY big BOAST from SUCH a SMALL troll
SEINRU
We have dozens of trolls who would die in a second.
SEINRU
Just to move the hand of fate one hour closer to the night of reckoning.
PAGE 18
SEINRU
We live, breathe, and kill. All for that moment.
SEINRU
We’ll squeeze out every drop of blood at our disposal until we have what we want.
SEINRU
And do you know why, big man?
SEINRU
Because we can’t afford to stop.
SEINRU
Can you?
PAGE 19
Pozzol white knuckle grips his right arm and exhales deeply, defeated.
Hard cut to Seinru pricking the fingers of Pozzol, then Edolon, cupping his hand gently.
PAGE 20
Seinru’s shadow is at its peak in the background, bleeding over each of theirs almost entirely. They all sign a written pact with their own blood.
CONCEPT ART
