TC Ep 273 Script

Lyr and co on ship arriving at Purtch. As they get closer they can see Crows swarming.

Dove: Those are -

Lyr: Crows. A lot of them. I wouldn’t pull any of that dove shit, if I were you 

D: I wouldn’t - 

Kieera: not with so many of them, right? Your kind did always like to swarm in packs.

D: don’t assume things of me.

Kieera: prove me wrong, then. 

(Admiral walks up behind)

A: Have you all been briefed? 

Kerwik: Aye, Admiral.

A: And the Hybrids are prepared?

Ker: Aye, Admiral

A: very well. You are there to observe, only. Do not speak unless addressed, and do not disclose anything that does not need to be. Do you all understand?

all: aye, Admiral.

(Admiral looks at Dove)

A: let us debark, then.

group walking up steps to Purtch. Each cadet holds the hand of a hybrid kid. A chimera holds out his hand to the dove, she startles back. 

(Lyr whispering from behind): he doesn’t recognise you. Take it,already.

(dove takes the kids hand, conflicted.)

(Ashguard surround them as they climb. Dove is nervous.)
D: (whispers) is it wise to have such a large Murder operating so freely? They may have been confined to this island, but -

alb: you misunderstand. there is no higher honor than to be accepted into Ashguard as a Crow in Avarie. It is a position of respect, one that is upheld throughout the land by all. We are fortunate they have agreed to even speak with us.

kerwik: This is what the Crows on Kooup would have been entitled to, had your kind not debased them.

D: do not act as though you were not also complicit.

ker: sure I was. we all were. I’m not sure we could still be, though, when we go back. 

(all look away, troubled)

erka: ..will we be going back? It seems a bit…

lyr: ridiculous, now. Knowing that the entire system the island is based on is just something a group of Eagles and Doves fabricated. 

alb: I think there has been a shift on Kooup. Now that Avarie has been revealed to them, they will become curious, start questioning things. my hope is that this meeting here will be the beginning of relations between the two, so that we may reconcile and continue onwards in a mutually beneficial way. 

kieera: surely only good can come of it

alb: i would not be so naive as to believe there will not be those who oppose it, too. Why would those with power now encourage the change that may take it from them?

(group approaches top of island. the high crow awaits. the group balks when they see him, especially the Dove)

kieera: is that a -

alb: High Crow, thank you for meeting with us.

HC: I would not usually entertain such requests, had chicks not been involved. 

Alb: yes, we thank you for your willingness to find appropriate homes for them, until such a time where it’s safe to return them to their families on Koup, if that time ever comes. 

HC: yes, well, we have suffered a great loss recently, so seeing any undesired chicks rescued and safe fills me with gratitude (looking at dove who startles)

Alb: I thank you, again.

HC: (gestures to guards) they will show you to the quarters we have prepared specially.

(everyone starts following)

HC: you. Stay here. (to dove. everyone leaves, watching. dove stands nervously)

HC: you are a Dove, are you not?

D: I - I am.

HC: from Kooup?

D: yes.

(HC walks around her. she stands, sweating. The White Crow flies in, cawing. She startles )

HC: how curious, that you have disguised yourself. That is punishable by your kind, is it not?

D: I-it is, High Crow.

HC: Easy to fool at a glance, but I am well-versed in the particulars of wing identification as it is a particular interest of mine, as you may imagine. I have been mistaken for your kind many times, in my years. I assume from your disguise you have felt that specific hatred that is harbored for your kind here.

D: yes. 

HC: did it surprise you? 

D: we have never been liked, even on Kooup.

HC: And so you decided to see what it would be like to be someone different, for a bit.

D: No, this was forced on me. why should i have to change myself to be accepted by others?

HC: you wish for others to accept you, then.

D: no. i don’t know. I just…don’t want to be hated straight away like that, i guess. no one would.

HC: those girls you came with do not look as though they hate you.

D: they’ve just gotten used to me. They’ll never really accept me.

HC: Think of why they do not accept you in the first place. When you believe something that negatively impacts another’s life, why should they not pass judgment on you for it? Yes, some will hate you for what you are, but treat others with respect and compassion, then if they do not return it that is a mischaracter on their part, and you have done all you can. You will not be able to convince many to brush aside their beliefs, but if you set aside your own, all you can do is hope some see you as the Avian you are and not as a collective. No, you should not have to be solely responsible for changing the world’s view of your people, but you can show the side of yourself you wish others to see, and hope that they eventually look.

D: won’t i get tired? Of having to prove myself constantly to people who don’t care?

HC: It will be tiring, and demoralising, but as with anything in life worth anything, you must work for it if you want it. I think you wanting to not be hated by others shows that you do value their opinions, and is a good step forwards.

D: would it…be wrong, to keep this dye on a while longer?

HC: Do what you feel you need to, but I will caution you that others will not be able to truly accept you until you are able to accept yourself. Realizing you have been brought up believing in hate and superiority is not an easy thing to overcome. I encourage you to look around you, and see what’s really there, finally, and create your own beliefs.

(Dove lifts her head, hair catching in the wind. She sees Crows training, helping each other, seagulls drifting on updrafts. everything is brighter and more vibrant.)

(Dove finds the group who are all gathered around a newspaper. The Dove clears her throat.)

kieera: Dove, get a load of this -

D: Eurippe. My name is Eurippe. 

(all look at her.)

Erka (unsure): Eurippe. Look what we found. Yesterday’s date, so it’s only in a few day’s time, but -

Kieera: The Admiral wants her reconciliation efforts, this’ll be a good start -

Kerwik: she’s already approved it -

Lyr: (quiet) those fuckers. I can’t believe they - and they found each other - and she's - and he’s -

(Show newspaper with headline The Crow King. It shows a sepia picture of scra+ co looking nervous into the camera, with reamer's dad and ky's mom in the bg)

Kerwik: Those idiots have somehow infiltrated a foreign government and risen straight to the top of it, it seems. They’re debuting at the Solstice Ball in the Capitol. We’re going. 

Yes, this is about to get as messy as you think it is lmao