A Suikoden III Short. Usual disclaimers apply.

Main Characters: Aila, Nadir, Jacques, Lilly, Rody and Borus

Pairings Warning: …Maybe if you're an absolutely obsessed fan of Aila/Jacques, you can find a smidgen of it here…

Chapters Read: Just so long as you've recruited Nadir, then it's fine. I guess there's some mild spoilers for who ends up joining the Fire Bringer, but really, shouldn't you know all that by now?

Explanation: Just something odd I was wondering about one of the plays…

~ * Role Reversal * ~

"But why? Why can't I play that role?"

The ceramic mask Nadir always wore seemed even more annoying to Aila at the moment, because it kept her from reading the theater master's face. The stark white porcelain kept its inscrutable expression, its maddening ghost of a smile or smirk untouched. It failed to conceal the mild hint of exhaustion that was gradually creeping into Nadir's voice as he continued to try reasoning with the stubborn Karayan huntress.

"Because, as I've already explained, I have cast Jacques as the title character."

"So change it. You've made changes like that before, haven't you?"

"Yes, but under different circumstances… when it was clear they were no longer available to play that role."

What went unmentioned by the producer was that, more often than not, the reason people tended to become unavailable was because they'd suddenly be called upon to go on some quest or another for the Fire Bringer. They were a rebellion first, Nadir understood, and such matters took precedence over that as serving as a theater troupe… though he sometimes wondered at the why of it.

Odd how often that occurred anymore. How sad.

Nadir had such high hopes for this production, too. When he'd put up the bulletin announcing who would star in their latest enactment of 'William Tell', he'd been pleasantly surprised when all five of his primary choices showed up for rehearsal. His joy had lasted until Aila started debating his selection -- not so much for the fact that he'd chosen her, but rather, what he'd chosen as her role.

"Why do I have to stand back and cheer? I'd rather be the one doing the shooting!" Aila stamped her foot to punctuate her declaration, clutching her bow in both balled-up fists.

"Maybe it has something to do with the fact that 'William Tell' is a man?" suggested Borus sarcastically.

"That has nothing to do with it!" declared Lilly haughtily, raising her chin and glaring down her nose at the knight. "And I'd watch my tongue if I were you, considering you're likely to be her target either way…"

"Miss Yuiri did do a fine job with the role in the last performance," Rody supplied, the young mage raising his hands as if hoping to ward off the potential fight with some sort of magic.

He'd done well with the rest of his casting, Nadir decided as he appraised the small group gathered backstage. Lilly was such a natural in the role of the lord, and Rody made a fine attendant for her. As for Borus, though he didn't give any particular reasons for why the Swordsman of Rage had been chosen for the part of the archer's son/target, it was merely proof that Nadir was aware of more things around the castle than the scope of his plays.

(Perhaps Aila was not so suitable a choice for the crowd, however,) he mused as his attention turned back to the fuming archer. (But I merely supposed…)

"But Sir Jacques here has also served as a fine choice for the lead in the past," he explained smoothly, "and…"

"So let someone else have a turn!" Aila folded her arms.

"She does have a point," Rody conceded.

(Oh dear…) "Sir Jacques, what of you? You are the star of this play, after all! Don't you wish to defend your role?" entreated Nadir.

"………" Jacques' pale blue eyes studied the group for a few seconds before sliding to one side, and he slowly shook his head once. "…I don't… mind…"

"Hah! I'm amazed you got anything from him at all!" laughed Lilly, smirking. "He barely even remembers to speak his lines! I'm sure Aila could do a much better job of it…"

"That's right!" Aila's dark brown curls bounced as she nodded eagerly, triumph lighting her green eyes. "Jacques can play the crowd if he wants; let me be William Tell instead!"

"Aila…" Nadir briefly rubbed the top of his forehead where the mask met his hairline with two gloved fingers before sighing, "As you know, we use real arrows onstage. Were you to miss…"

"I don't miss!" Aila lifted her chin proudly. "I'm one of the most talented archers we have!"

"Pssh… She's nowhere near Roland's level, or even one of those Alma Kinan girls…" Borus muttered under his breath.

Lilly gave him a strange look and queried, "Do you want to end up with an arrow stuck in your butt?"

"Actually, Miss Estella told me that the reason that Sir Borus here acts so mean most of the time is because of an unfortunate sparring incident where Percival…"

"I don't want to hear it!" Borus roared at the apprentice, while Lilly and Aila exchanged a glance and a knowing smirk as they filled in the rest by themselves.

"Still, you can see why I don't enjoy the thought of allowing a less… seasoned archer to play the lead," Nadir hedged. "Were you to experience stage fright…"

"I don't scare easily. I'll show you how good I am!"

With that declaration, Aila lifted her bow and drew her sights upon a mannequin propped up against the far wall. Sensing she wasn't about to be stopped, the others quietly backed away so as not to disturb her -- or worse, risk getting hit themselves. Nadir watched silently as her arm drew back, the bowstring quivering in anticipation.

(I can do this. I'll just imagine that oversized doll is Borus, and…)

A musical twang sounded as Aila let the missile fly. Six pairs of eyes followed its path as it whistled through the air and buried itself up to the point where it landed, the shaft quivering from the impact.

"………"

"Miss Aila…" Rody's piping voice eventually broke the awkward silence, "…I think that your aim was a little low, perhaps…"

"…Who says I didn't mean for it to land there?" questioned Aila, scowling, cheeks flushing with a touch more color than usual.

"…I say do it." Lilly smirked wickedly as she turned to face the others. "Make the switch, or I won't bother playing my role, either."

"………" Borus's face was white, and his legs twitched closer together as he turned pleading amber eyes to Jacques. "…I don't suppose you'd wish to trade with me?"

Jacques just shook his head.