As my vision returned, instead of a nosebleeding Princess, this time Riko was simply blushing as it appeared the blunt had a two way effect.
"Princess, why are you blushing now?" Ahmed asked. The energy of the princess's beautiful face was spreading as the llama traders all blushed together.
"Is it something we said?"
"What? No no, it's just… don't worry about it."
She composed herself.
"Anyways, what's going to happen to the theater then?"
"The theater?"
"Yeah, the theater. I mean, you guys aren't putting on shows anymore right? It feels more like a cult now to be honest, rather than a theater."
"Yeah, we can't argue that."
"It just feels like a shame," Riko continued, "you all just seem to like each other and have such nice camaraderie at the end of the day. Maybe it's because I've never joined anything as cool as the theater and got to wear such a cool mask but I really do think you should consider continuing it."
"Umm, you can try one of these on if you want to," Bill said, giving the Princess his. "the strap is one size fits all."
She put the mask on.
"Wow, this is pretty cool! Beware all, for my name is Riko! Wanderer of the kingdoms of Kaijie and star of this theater! Bwahahahahaha."
She did a pose before handing the mask back to Bill.
"Wow, that was fun, how did Riki even come up with the design of these?"
"I don't know, rumor is he was on a lot of magical mushrooms."
"What? No way, mushrooms aren't magical. The palace chefs prepare them all the time and they just taste icky to be honest."
From a few kilometers away I chuckled. Maybe next book Princess.
Back to the scene though. With all the talk of drugs, Ahmed's crew was beginning to fiend as even just the whiff of the golden blunt was giving them and the rest of the members of the theater a residue high.
"So..." Lazorous said pointing to the blunt, "What exactly are you going to do with that present? Such a fine crafted specimen feels like it would go to waste if it were just to be confiscated by your parents."
"Yeah, and I do have some matches," Ramil added, taking them out.
"Hmm... well, you are right, my parents will find something this dank right away," the Princess said smiling. I could tell from her goofy overjoyed smile that she was about to reference something from one of her favorite books that sounded like normal language to outsiders but really made her the most happy because she remembered the exact moment in the exact chapter of the book of when the character she liked said it.
"Yeah, let's do it, let's light up now. The real high was the memories and friendships we made consuming Kush along the way!"
Next to me, Riki instinctively cringed at the Princess's line.
"Urgh, that's so unrealistic, that's not even a proper line. She got it from..."
"Shhh shhh... it's alright Riki, you don't need to take art so seriously all the time" I said, lighting "the Fujoshi Perception" blunt again and taking a hit. There were only about 8 hits left or 2 rounds of puff puff pass. I'm sure if I required it though, I could simply pay Riki more money to buy another one. Such an effect was honestly priceless but luckily due to capitalism, it was affordable as well so that wouldn't be an issue as it relates to the plot.
"I just take originality very seriously okay! You know that's a line from "The Pirates of Art"? I, and every self respecting artist have read that book. There is a lot of difficulty in originality and coming up with one's own words as explained by the main character of the book in his quest. That line he said about friendship that the princess just repeated wasn't that good, it kind of ruined the appeal of "The Priates of Art" to me and I have voiced my opinion strongly to members of the theater about it. In fact, we actually put on a stage play of that book when it was reaching peak popularity in some of the kingdoms. Not that I even wanted to but popular things with already established communities is what makes the coin after all. Urghh... it's just so mid to be honest. It only got famous because the main character and heroine are wish fulfillment self-inserts without an ounce of actual artistic merit to them! In fact the author, this hack Ken Rino stole many of his ideas from previous writing works before it like "the pioneers of the stage", and "Artistic individuality" both of which are much more respectable when it comes to the pursuit of art even though the "characters" are less wish fulfillment self-insert fantasies that would never exist in real life! Honestly Hu, if I knew where that author lived I would write a very angry letter stating how..."
"Riki..."
I took another long hit of the blunt as Riki waited for me to speak.
"What Hu? Are you going to defend the work "Pirates of Art"? If so, then state your opinion clearly sir so that I, can break down."
"Riki... the real high was the memories and friends we made along the way." I said handing him the blunt.
"Okay... with all do respect, what the fuck does that even..."
"Just have fun Riki..."
"Yes I understand that but still, being an artist myself I find it important that..."
"Riki, ima be real, not that I don't agree with all your points but it's just like... bro I'm not trying to discuss artistic merit for hours, what the fuck is happening with the Princess?"
He smiled when I said that.
"Fair enough..." he said taking his first hit, "for there is one thing that artists do know once they fall in love, you know what that is?"
I blinked trying not to blush.
"Umm... I uhhh... well uhh..."
He took his second hit before I could correctly formulate a response to what he was saying. The effects were hitting me as once again my vision was beginning to fade back to the Princess. As it did though, I did hear the last thing Riki said to me.
"Once an artist falls in love, any deeper thoughts of artistic merit and originality go out the window, and it is the object of their desire that becomes the show."
My vision returned to a birds eye view of the Princess whose eyes were already bloodshot red along with the members of Ahmed's crew. Although I couldn't see their faces due to the masks they were wearing, I could still tell that under their masks the other members of the theater were also high as fuck. It was a very potent blunt as the masked figures appeared to only be taking 2 hits each but were receiving the full effects of smoking an entire blunt.
"Yo... this mask's design is sooo cool," the princess said, staring blankly at the mask that Bill handed to her. "The colors are like... so intricate."
To be honest they did look really fascinating in the moment as the swirls of colors drawn by the artist really highlighted the design... maybe. To be honest I couldn't tell if mine and Princess's judgment of the design of the masks were accurate or if our opinions were being affected by the Kush.
"I know right! Seriously… how did Riki get these?"
"Yeah, they look so dope."
"I designed and made them myself!" I could hear Riki's voice say as the vision continued, "see, I told you! Who do you think carries the people of the theater? Me!"
"Yeah... honestly it was worth the 10 Cive we all paid him for it."
I could hear Riki whistling innocently at the comment.
"Wait... do you still sell these?"
"Uhhh... yeah Riki might still have some. In the very rare chance you do meet him again, he'll probably have some available as he's always recruiting new members. Or at least... he was. I don't know, not our problem anymore!"
"Hmm...," she blinked, still staring at the mask, "just curious, one of you all wouldn't want to sell me your mask would you?"
"Nope..."
"No chance."
"Nah I wouldn't, there's too much nostalgia value."
Many of the masked figures nodded in agreement at the comment.
"Yeah, at this point, I have too much sentimental attachment to give it away." Bill said, "There are just so many memories of my years here with the theater. Sorry Princess, I can't do it. You are free to look at mine and wear it on the way back though."
"I'll sell you mine."
Another masked figure suddenly stepped forward in front of the Princess with a female voice that sounded rather familiar.
And as the figure removed her mask...
"Wait, she can't hear the voices in my head narrating can she?" I said as the scene broke back to Riki and I briefly.
"Nah, she can't hear your thoughts here, you're safe."
"This feels like stalking then, no?"
"True, but are you really going to say this is unfair after the Princess literally peeped on us naked at the bath house?"
"Fair enough,"
"Aiight let's finish this blunt though. I got more for 20 Jiples if you need it."
"... is this your business model? You can earn money and still smoke for free with this method."
"Anything to make a coin," he said, winking at me, "and anything to get high."
Quickly, we smoked the rest of the blunt as the scene returned to the new masked figure who had stepped forward. And as she removed her mask, her beautiful flowing hair spread out contrasting her dark eyes and other facial features that made it clear she was also from Riguo. It was the same woman that we had met previously at the second inn's reception that the Princess did not even allow me to look at or describe. Despite that, I couldn't forget how beautiful she looked either as the Princess might not have noticed at the time being too angry at me because...
"You look..." the Princess gasped as the new woman tied her hair up.
"Exactly like you right?" the woman smiled, "well, I made sure to do my make up real quick when I was informed we would be capturing you."
She held out her mask to the Princess.
"And this mask could be yours if you want it Princess."
The Princess went out to reach for it but the other woman pulled it back.
"But in exchange, there is something I must ask from you first, Princess."
"What's that?"
"You're really going to request that Kaisaki?" Ahmed interrupted, "I don't know how she's going to take it if you do. She's still the Princess, and you're a citizen of her kingdom. Won't you get in deep trouble if things go wrong?"
"Do not make assumptions about how I rule!" the Princess said suddenly irritated, "no one will be getting in trouble for simple requests."
"So... sorry."
She turned back to the other lady.
"Kaisaki is your name? That is a very traditional name in our kingdom. Please Kaisaki, tell me more about yourself first and what your life was like in the kingdom before joining the theater."
"You're a lot more reasonable to talk to when Hu isn't around, Princess." Kaisaki said smiling. Her smile quickly faded into sorrow however, when she began thinking about the answer to the Princess's question.
"Who was I before I joined the theater..." she repeated, "Well Princess, I guess you could say I was "no one."
The Princess looked at her with her tilted head confused look which was quickly met by Kaisaki doing her own tilted head confused look matching hers.
"Hu and I say things like that because we like to be dramatic about it. But no one is truly "no one". Surely you have a mother or father?"
She shook her head.
"My father died when I was really young and my mother abandoned me after he did and fled the country. I haven't seen her in 15 years."
"Oh I'm..."
"Sorry?" Kaisaki said, smiling again looking down at the ground, "don't be, it has nothing to do with you. And plus."
She looked up at the Princess. "It made me strong. For many years before joining the theater I worked as a house cleaner for the nobles. Sure, I did meet the occasional pervert who would give me strange requests, but even so, it helped me."
She clenched her fists.
"It made me stronger, I had to learn the game. How to manipulate perverted men, how to talk my way into getting higher pay, and most importantly though I didn't know it at the time, how to act."
"How to act?"
"Indeed Princess," Ahmed chimed in, "When Kaisaki first joined our theater, even Riki was stunned by her beauty. When he saw her performances on the stages we acted on however, he began writing a contract. She received all the lead roles back when we still had money to host those things. And unlike the other talents, she never joined the higher level ones, always sticking loyal to the ones that gave her life more purpose."
Kaisaki nodded.
"And what a purpose it was. For there is no greater feeling in the world than being on that stage in front of a crowd. Even more, there is nothing replacing the friendships of the members of the theater along the way. These guys here, they're the only family I have."
"And despite that you want to give it up?" the Princess interrupted, "I'm sorry but I don't think if that is the case I can accept your mask since..."
"Before I joined the theater though, Princess, I always looked up to you."
"Looked up to me? How? Is looking disinterested in public meetings worthy of such admiration?"
"Well, not look up, more like..." she thought for a second trying to find the right words, "more like, I wanted to be you."
She stared directly into the Princess's eyes. "I mean, you look a lot like me right? So whenever I did see you in the public meetings, I always thought, wow, she has everything I could have ever wanted growing up poor. An entire castle, servants, and a worry free life in general."
"Ah... I see," the Princess said, sighing, "circumstances of birth."
"But even so," Kaisaki continued, "even if they are, I admire you. And despite having all that, you still looked discontent. As if all that wealth and luxury did not have even an ounce of importance. That it wasn't key to happiness. Quite humble you are. Still though, you are also right, I did admire your circumstances of birth as well. And to you it may have just felt like normal life, a mundane inescapable existence, but to people like me who grew up poor, being a princess was really a fairy tale dream. Which is why I have a proposal for you dear Princess."
She extended her mask out to Riko again.
"I'll trade you this mask for your previous life."