Skyward Episode 5.5: Nothing More Than A Dream

[Opening]

 

Ｎｏｒｍａｎｄｉｅ

Ｕｎｎａｍｅｄ　Ｌｏｃａｔｉｏｎ

 

The Ｎｏｒｍａｎｄｉｅ comes to a stop at a port to restock on fuel, the camera pans over the town, showing the hustle and bustle of the townspeople.

Cut to a shot of Norman and Brad walking in the marketplace, Brad holds an orange in his hands, tossing it back and forth.

"Please stop that," Norman is annoyed and takes the orange. He pulls out a small hunter's knife from his coat and peels it, dropping the rind behind him and skewering the orange in half.

He hands back the smaller half to Brad, and takes a bite out of his.

"Oh come on!" Brad looks at his half, teary eyed. "Jerk."

"I could have thrown it away."

"Urgh, you make a valid point." Brad bites into his orange. "Assho- oh! Look Norm. There's a music shop here!" He practically skips towards the shop window, and peers inside. "Oo-ho-ho, bet DJ would love that." He points at something that Norman can't see from his point of view.

Norman walks up to the window and takes a gander at what Brad is pointing at a small music box, painted white with blue trimmings. "A music box?"

"She told me that she likes music, so why not?"

The shot slowly zooms in on the music box before it fades out.

 

Ｓｏｍｅ　Ｔｉｍｅ　Ｌａｔｅｒ

Ｏｎ　Ｂｏａｒｄ　ｔｈｅ　Ｎｏｒｍａｎｄｉｅ

 

Brad is pacing outside DJ's door, a hand covering his mouth, the other carefully cradling the music box behind his back.

"Come on, Bradster. Get it together. It's just DJ." His face flushes. Shaking his head, he facepalms in despair. "Just. DJ." He draws in a breath and smiles.

His hand only shakes slightly as he knocks on the door. "DJ?"

A soft voice answers, "Come in." and he opens the door, revealing DJ sitting at the edge of her bed, her bare feet hanging off the edge, swinging slowly.

Brad is captivated at the sight and he walks further into the room, closing the door behind him. "You're...up."

She beams at him, "You could say that." She gestures to her legs. "I have yet to actually stand."

"Would you like me to help?"

"Eh? No...no it's fine. I just wanted to...what are you hiding?"

"Uh...nothing hahaha...nothing at all!" he coughs loudly, and she gives him a look that clearly shows she's not buying it. Swallowing nervously, he shows her the box. "I just happened to see it in town...and well." He looks away, "D-do you like it?"

She says nothing, just carefully lifts the box from his hand and opens it.

It's simple and just has a music note. Her smile grows even bigger. "I like it!" She stares at Brad, eyes sparkling, "Thank you so much!" she throws her arms around him, hugging him tightly.

"You're...welcome. I uhm...I have stuff to do..." Brad disentangles himself from her and rushes out the door.

 

Ｂｒａｄ

'What's -wrong- with me? It's only DJ. I've been with so many girls before but...' he hold his hand to his chest and he looks up at the ship's ceiling. "I'm an idiot." He slumps against the wall and slides down, wrapping his arms around his knees. "Idiot..."

 

ＤＪ

 

She looks at the closed door and shrugs, gently setting the music box on her table. She holds her head in her hands and winces a little.

"Maybe I overdid it a little today, augh." She runs her fingers through her hair, which is now down to her waist. Licking her lips, she takes a few strands and attempts to braid them, ending in a very sloppy result.

Her head drops to her chest. "Aw, maaan."

 

-You're a princess in my eyes-

-They're waiting for us.-

-Don't go!-

 

The voices in her head all form shadowed shapes around her, and she bites her lip hard enough to draw a small pinprick of blood. "Please....go away..." She curls herself up and cries.

 

Ｌａｔｅｒ　Ｔｈａｔ　Ｎｉｇｈｔ

 

DJ opens her window letting in some fresh air.

Her tears are long gone and she ruefully smiles.

Turning back inside, she stares at the music box Brad gave her and winds it.

It begins playing a cheerful but somehow mournful tune, and she begins to sing softly to herself.

Brad is still on the other side of the door, listening to her, arms folded across his chest.

 

⌠The steel glows bright under the clear night sky,

Not a single dent to be seen

A year's time in isolation and I'm the one with the key

 

A sound, therein it whispers deep inside

A maelstrom swerving, no matter what I try

 

Don't let them know, don't let them see

I know I'm sane as one can be

Stay away, stay... don't let them know

They'll never knooooooow

 

Don't let go, don't let go

I can't keep pretending anymore

Don't let go, don't let go

I must turn back, slam the door

I want to care, I know what they'll say

It's creeping inside...

My past, it's buried away

 

It's ironic how my fears makes everything seem so droll

And those fears that control me, keep my veins ice cold⌡

 

At this point, Brad begins to sing with her, from behind the door.

 

⌠It's time to see what I can do

To test the limits and break through⌡

 

Cut back to DJ, holding her arms to her chest.

 

⌠No right, no wrong, no sense for me

I'm not free⌡

 

A split screen forms, showing both singing together.

 

⌠Don't let go, don't let go

I(you) am(are) one with the crew and sky

Don't let go, don't let go

You'll(I'll) never see me(you) cry

Here I(you) stand and here I'll(you'll) remain

It's creeping deep inside

My(Your) past, it's buried away...⌡

 

Brad hangs his head and stands. His gloved hand is gripped into a fist and he looks at the door.

He looks like he's about to knock but decides against it and leaves.

Cut back to DJ who is now closing the window.

 

⌠My memories slip through the mind into the wind

My soul is spiraling in frozen fractals all around

And one thought remains like an icy blast

I'm looking back, my mind is in the past⌡

 

She pulls the drapes, darkening the room once more.

 

[Credits]