Out among the stars, a magical greenhouse holds the seeds of a new civilization
INT. EMPRESS’ GARDEN – DAY
We see the interior of a large greenhouse. Inside, there is a wide variety of flowers and trees. The structure itself is luxurious and elegant. Light streams in through the glass, illuminating the enchanting scene of fluttering, colorful butterflies, and playful little faeries. On a comfortable and cushy chair sits EMPRESS NERIAH. She is a pregnant woman of around age thirty, dressed in a beautiful green dress, and a magical, halo-like crown. Her fertile, feminine curves rest gracefully as she watches with pleasure the faeries and butterflies of her garden. In her hand, she holds a magical cup with the symbol of Venus on it. In the other hand, she holds a small scepter.
EMPRESS NERIAH Ah, what a wonderful place to grow a royal family.
NERIAH sighs with contentment, closes her eyes, and leans her head back in relaxation. Suddenly, there is a flash of light, a puff of black smoke, and when NERIAH opens her eyes in surprise there is a man standing before her. He is SZANDOR: a tall man who looks on the surface young, but who carries the quiet confidence and power of many, many years. He sports a goatee and a red tunic and cloak.
EMPRESS NERIAH Szandor! How did you get in here!? My husband’s mages assured me–
SZANDOR Your husband’s mages have never met anyone in my league. With all due respect, Empress.
He bows. NERIAH looks nervous. Her faeries hide behind her, peeking out cautiously. She reflexively holds one hand against her pregnant belly.
EMPRESS NERIAH That may be so, and we may be new to this realm, but our mastery of magic is still enough to defend ourselves if need be.
Her scepter begins to glow a faint green.
SZANDOR Now, now, I, a gentleman, would never attack an innocent mother-to-be. I simply came here to discuss, once again, our house’s differences.
EMPRESS NERIAH We have nothing more to discuss! We settled this land and built this new palace peacefully! You and your ilk still have plenty of hot, volcanic ground and subterranean labyrinths to call home!
SZANDOR Do you forget that you built this little greenhouse, as part of a seemingly ever- expanding domain, my land? Did I ever say it was free for the taking? You do realize that the disgusting enchanted pollen that your plants give off is deadly toxic to the wildlife of my domain, yes?
NERIAH stands up tall. Even in (perhaps especially in) her somewhat rotund state, she is an impressive and even intimidating archetype of femininity, nature, and abundance.
EMPRESS NERIAH My people had no choice but to flee our original home! Do you know how lucky any of us, me, my husband, our knights and servants, my unborn child, are to even still be alive, let alone able to put together our modest estate here?! We’ve contained our few remaining plant and animal specimens, the ones that weren’t burned that is, within the glass of this room, as you demanded!
SZANDOR Your walls are weak. They’ve already been breached.
EMPRESS NERIAH What?!
SZANDOR I don’t know what sort of enchantments you have where you come from, and frankly it’s not my problem, but they clearly aren’t strong enough to hold in your, your, invasive species! I’ve found your disgustingly pink little mushrooms popping up all over my caves. Vines and flowers spreading their tentacles across my plains. Birds devouring my native toads and dragonflies. You broke your promise: your house’s domain is not contained, it is ruining my entire realm! You are not an innocent woman. And your spawn will not be born here!
SZANDOR’S hands begin to glow red, as do his eyes, and the room becomes supernaturally darker around him. In turn, NERIAH’S scepter glows brighter green, and the light around her grows brighter.
EMPRESS NERIAH I’ve already had to fight to defend my people, I’m happy to do it again, Szandor!
They both begin charging powerful magical attacks to launch at each other, when suddenly, there’s a bright blue flash and a wall of blue light appears in front of each of the two enemies. A young male and female voice ring out in unison.
VOICES Stop!
Between two translucent blue walls of magical energy appears two teenagers, a boy and a girl. The boy, wearing black, is NESHER; he is NERIAH’S first son. Holding hands with him is IVONA, a girl with a brown vest. They are both attractive individuals. IVONA is SZANDOR’S daughter.
EMPRESS NERIAH Nesher, what are you doing, my son?! I’m trying to defend your unborn sister!
NESHER No, mother, this conflict has gone on long enough! Lower your scepter!
IVONA Lower your hands, too, father! You’re going to destroy our fragile peace!
Both parents reluctantly agree, though they both look past their children suspiciously at each other.
SZANDOR What is your barbaric son doing with my daughter?
EMPRESS NERIAH I was just about to ask the same thing to you about that little slut you spawned!
NESHER Mother, stop! Ivona is my lover, we’ve chosen each other. Our studies of magic have shown us a way to resolve this conflict without bloodshed!
SZANDOR How dare you trick my daughter, you–
IVONA Father, listen! There’s a way that all of our people and creatures can thrive. We’ve discovered a previously unknown spell that can allow us to travel to a new realm. We have a map of it and everything.
NESHER Ivona and I want to take groups of each of our peoples there, to join in a new beginning. A new understanding. A new hope.
NERIAH and SZANDOR become thoughtful at this, and their tones soften.
EMPRESS NERIAH Please, tell us more of this new star realm…