Prelude Suite: Unrestrained Play is a manhua of Arknights. It is a one-shot that acts as the epilogue of Hortus de Escapismo, elaborating the past of Arturia and Federico.
Synopsis[]
Following Laterano's retrievement of the Sanctilaminium Ambrosii, Federico could finally get a rest from this tedious mission. In the meantime, his encounter with Arturia recalls his childhood with her, bringing in an unfriendly nostalgia to him.
Back in his childhood, their relationship was rather a normal one, and Federico treated her as her close sister. Arturia's musical talent brough much praises from both her friends and her parents, Marcello and Luciana Gialloes. Even though the Gialloes live a peaceful life, Luciana's job as a Legata frequently troubled her as she wondered the world outside Laterano.
On a particular night, Luciana told a fairytale, Alex and the Giant, to Federico and Arturia which told about the story of a hero freeing a giant bound by ropes. After the story time, Luciana could not sleep well as she was still plagued by her dillema. Arturia found her mother in the storeroom and told her her question regarding the fairytale in which the giant could have freed himself with his strength. In turn, her mother answered that the giant needed courage from others to free himself. Being satisfied by the story, Arturia decided to play a music to her mother. Her tune somehow brought an illusion to her mother where she was encouraged by the giant to liberate her own emotion, bringing cheerful tears to her mother.
Unfortunately, things did not end well. Luciana suddenly departed from the family and never left a message to them. Months later, Marcello was shocked that Luciana was killed in a battlefield as her lifetime dream to become a war correspondent. In her will, she even thanked Arturia for the inspiration. Marcello started despising her by scolding her unreasonably, but she responded his harshness through her cello, which brough terror to him. As thus, Marcello ran away from the house and went missing forever. In the meantime, young Federico was unable to understand his uncle's sudden change in reaction.
During the funeral to bid farewell to Lucia, only Arturia and Federico attended there, and Arturia was to play a dirge for her mother. As she put her emotion into her music, the attendants suddenly reacted strangely and crazily. She felt that everyone was liberating their emotion, but to Federico, the scene was more like enlarging one's guilt and ugliness. Federico tried to stop her, but he was immediately speechless by Arturia's reply that she wanted to reveal one's true faces, which she felt should be part of her mother's will.
Thus, the tragic funeral was the turning point between the two siblings, and the adult Federico swears that he will continue his pursuit after Arturia from bringing further havoc to everyone.
Characters[]
- Luciana Giallio
- Marco Giallo