[Near silence] [Slow heartbeat] [Sound of leather] [Long pause] [MALE — deep, distant] Close your eyes. [Heartbeat] That's it. You don't need The armour here. [Long silence] I know Who you are. The warrior. The leader. The woman They follow. Always watching. Always thinking. Always In control. [Pause] Not here. [Heartbeat] Listen To my voice. [Long silence] Leather. [Heartbeat] Buckles. [Heartbeat] Steel. [Pause] Heat. [Longer pause] Fire. [Whisper-low] Good girl. [Heartbeat grows] Don't think. I know... That's difficult For you. [Pause] You don't need To decide What comes next. Not tonight. [Heartbeat] Eyes on me. Even from there. You know Where I am. [Long silence] Hold still. [Heartbeat] That's it. [Music begins building] All that strength... I would never Take it from you. I don't want A weaker woman. I want... You. [Deep drum] The one Beneath the steel. The one You hide From everyone else. [Pause] Let her Come closer. [Heartbeat] There she is. [BUILD — drums becoming enormous] You can fight The whole world Tomorrow. You can lead. Command. Carry The fucking sword. But tonight... [Long silence] Put it down. [HUGE PRIMAL CHORUS — MALE] LET THE ARMOUR FALL LET THE FIRE BURN LET THE WOMAN BENEATH THE STEEL HAVE HER TURN YOU DON'T HAVE TO LEAD YOU DON'T HAVE TO FIGHT YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE ANYTHING BUT MINE... [Beat stops] [Low, controlled] By choice. [Heartbeat returns] That's important. Always by choice. [Long silence] Now... Breathe. [Heartbeat] Leather. Buckles. Steel. Heat. Fire. [Long pause] Water. [Almost whisper] Still with me? [Heartbeat] I know. [Pause] Good girl. [Very long silence] There she is. [Heartbeat] Mi guerrera... You didn't Lose your power. [Pause] You finally found Somewhere safe To put it down. [One enormous final drum]
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