Author's note: Theme song of the Frozen Dreams Play above. This is the first play script the protagonists, and other characters, read through for their cast auditions. (As you might notice, this is a parody of my own creation based on xianxia stories set in play form.)

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Frozen Dreams Play Script

Genre: Xianxia, Fantasy, Historical Fiction

Synopsis: The tale of a couple of star-crossed lovers from the Heavenly Realm, Mortal Realm and Demon Realm respectively. A Human Maiden accidentally marries into the Heavenly Royal Family, and upsets the balance between the realms when the Second Prince refuses to divorce her. Additionally, the Fire Demon Prince, a valiant warrior, falls in love with the daughter of the Water Immortal from the Heavenly Realm and disastrous consequences ensue. Ancient Chinese Tragedy based on elements of Chinese mythology, Buddhism and Taoism.

                                                          Opening Narration

Fate is a cruel mistress. For those Mortals living, Death is the common experience that binds us all. Yet many seek in vain to find ways to make their time meaningful. Some pursue fame, glory, riches while others, love.

That begs the question. Is love a necessary expenditure? Should one live longer than the average Mortal, is love even worth pursuing? And if love, or the pursuit of love, lead to disaster, is it better to not have loved?

Two star-crossed couples in this story beg to differ.

Love for them was essential. Life less so.

Three realms at chaos, two couples torn apart.

In the end, was love worth it?

                                                                            Scene 1

At a magnificent palace, several people surround a dame in wedding cloth with furious expressions.  Signs of a glorious wedding celebration that took place are still in view. However, the bride ran away, and the servant of an immortal who bares a similar resemblance took her place. It is the morning after, and the Heavenly Royal Parents seem not too pleased with this discovery at the Second Prince's bedchambers.

Heavenly Empress Dowager: You dare!

Heavenly Emperor: Explain yourself this instant!

Human Maiden:  I...

Heavenly Empress: This cannot be valid! My poor son...(faints into the Emperor's arms)

RIP. The sound of fabric is heard as it is torn into shreds by a lady's maid. Suddenly, the Second Prince Enters stage and comes into view with a determined grimace.

Second Prince: What is the meaning of this cacophony so early in the morning?

Heavenly Empress Dowager: My darling, my darling...you...well, not you. You were tricked into marrying the wrong girl. That foul temptress! It's the Wind Immortal's fault...she...

Second Prince: (picks his newly-wedded bride up by the arm, and covers her garment with his cloak) Here. I apologize for their transgressions.

Heavenly Emperor: Divorce her at once! (leans into his servant, whispers) Find the Flower Goddess's daughter...we will correct this forthwith.

Second Prince: There is no need for course correction. Your condition for my independent living arrangement was to marry, and I have done it.

Heavenly Empress Dowager: (asserts and wags her finger at the Maiden) But she is a mortal!

Human Maiden: (whimpers, yet backs away from the Second Prince)

Second Prince: And that is how I choose her...the Wind Immortal trusts her and so do I. Besides (straightens his back), she will cultivate into a celestial soon enough with more training.

Grabbing his wife, she pleads silently, but it reaches deaf ears. Resigning herself to her fate, she clasps his hands into hers. Once out of sight, he backs her up into a wall.

Second Prince: (murmurs) Did they hurt you?

Human Maiden: (terrified) No...

Second Prince: (leans in to give her a peck on the cheek, but remembers her recoiling the night before when he lifted her veil, and hugs her instead) I mean you no harm. When the first opportunity arises, I will make sure you are sent to the Mortal Realm safe and sound.

                                                                             Scene 2

Water Princess goes to water her Chinese lily flowers in her surface garden in the Mortal Realm at night. Observes the Fire Demon Prince coming to gardens, she revels in seeing an attractive stranger. Even still, she immediately aims to shoo him off, but notices him treating the plants in his garden adjacent to hers surprisingly well (neighbor). Suddenly, an owl hoots. Startled, he takes a few steps back and treads on her garden accidentally.

Water Princess: Hey! (she comes out of her hiding place in the bushes and approaches the stranger with hand outstretched, face clearly upset)

Fire Prince: Yes?

Water Princess: How could you trample on my plants like so? Do you have any idea of the iota of work I undertook to care for them at the surface? (she starts to cry, tears running down her face)

Fire Prince:  I did not mean to... (he looks up at her with concern, rising from the ground as he assesses the situation)

Water Princess: They are the only...only treasures which I can call my own, and you besmirch them with your presence... and trample them underfoot.

The fellow gardener stays silent, furrowing his eyebrows as he thinks it over. Then, he takes bulbs from his own garden and gives it to her.

Fire Prince: These should make up for the ones you have lost.

Water Princess: (states) These are white lilies.

Fire Prince: I do not grow regal lilies as of yet.

Water Princess: (incredulous) Are you new to these parts?

Fire Prince: (perplexed) Why do you ask?

Water Princess: You are mistaken. Chinese sacred lilies are narcissus, not lilies.

Fire Prince: (nonchalantly) Then you may keep them. I hear white lilies mean a hundred years of blessings.

Water Princess's Sister: (off from a distance, yelling) Sister, Father calls for you!

Water Princess: (sings) I am coming!

Once the Fire Prince heard her beautiful song, he dropped a pot he just picked up from the ground on his foot.

Water Princess: That must hurt. Let me help... (she brushes off the dirt only to notice his deep garnet eyes) You are not a Mortal, are you?

Water Princess's Sister: Sister!

Water Princess: (croons) I will be right there!

Enchanted by her singing, the young Fire Demon Prince watches her leave. Water Princess Exits as a Monkey Demon Enters.

Monkey Demon: Why are you staring off into the distance?

It takes a moment to register, then he gathers his thoughts.

Fire Prince: No reason.

Yet he smiles, having just found another reason to visit the gardens once more.

                                                                             Scene 3

Crown Prince of Heavenly Realm caught staring into the mirror, interrupted by the whiny cries of  the runaway bride of the Second Prince, the daughter of the Flower Goddess. A battle-hardy woman, she refuses to marry anyone other than the Crown Prince, yet he finds her obnoxious.

Crown Prince: (grimaces) Who let you in?

Flower Goddess Heir: I did. Now when will you marry me so I can refuse the Second Prince with dignity.

Crown Prince: (marvels) As far as I am aware, he is married. Until just a few hours ago, I was relieved it to know it was to you. (implying he became aware of this fact before his parents)

Flower Goddess Heir: (laughs) Ha, Ha. Seriously, what do I have to do for you to marry me? Only you would allow me to still fight against the Demons.

Crown Prince: (chuckles) Many a woman fancy me, but I have never had one attracted to me due to my indifference.

Flower Goddess Heir: It's a mutual arrangement, I would settle for being a concubine. However, we must be wed before they can...

Crown Prince: Make you marry the closeted hermit prince, I know. (thinks for a moment) Then, I have a proposition to make.

Flower Goddess Heir: Go on.

Crown Prince: Act like you have been wronged by the Maiden and the Second Prince. Milk those unused tears of yours, and lead all to believe the Second Prince fooled with your heart and married his lover instead of you. (mutters) It should at least get him to undergo tribulations in the Mortal Realm.

Flower Goddess Heir: How would that help?

Crown Prince: Additionally, lead the Human Maiden to believe you and the Second Prince were close. Befriend her, make it seem like you were kidnapped or lured away tragically that night...turn her against the Second Prince and then leave the rest to me.

Flower Goddess Heir: Again, what will this achieve?

Crown Prince: (grins)  Leave me to my own devices. You will see the results soon enough.

Flower Goddess Heir: And I will serve you then?

Crown Prince: (nods)

The daughter of the Flower Goddess Exits, seemingly content with the compromise. Crown Prince smirks, and monologues in a dimly-lit corner.

Crown Prince: Two stones with one blow. Discredit the Second Prince, lead to his Mortal Trials. (sighs) If only you had stayed cooped up instead of gallivanting outside, I would not need to resort to these measures. This will make sure to remove scum like you before the coronation and have me alone gain recognition fighting against the Demons. As for the second beneficial outcome...

Then, he glances around the room to make sure no one is listening, and pulls out a bracelet nonchalantly given to him by the daughter of the Water Immortal, the Water Princess.

Crown Prince: (whispers) This way, she'll be too preoccupied to molest my pretty water lily. (pets the bracelet) Don't worry, soon you'll be mine.

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Language & Culture note:  Phonetically, the word for lily in Mandarin (baihe) is reminiscent of the phrase (bainianhaohe) - happy union for a hundred years. In Chinese culture, lilies are a popular Chinese Wedding Flower, as they symbolize a happy union that lasts for 100 years. [This implies the Fire Prince is ignorant of such matters and did not realize the significance behind his gift.]

Author's note: Water Princess's true form is a water lily while the Crown Prince's true form is a golden lotus. Both aquatic plants.