Ep 228 Script

228

scra clutching egg under shirt, surrounded by wolves.

S: are these wolves? ky wasnt kidding, their teeth do look sharp - i just need to get into the sky…but I need a run-up. will they chase if I run? the few dogs I saw on Kooup definitely did. but something tells me i wont have a choice. hold on, kid.

wolves chase, one howls, waking ky.

k: was that - a wolf - (looks over for scra, sees him missing) SCRA!

scra running, wings out, wolves chasing

S: crap - crap - crap - i can’t get free of these branches to take off and these things are fast - i can’t climb a tree either because the egg will definitely get smashed - what do i - why wouldn’t cereea let us have weapons - they’re gaining, and I’ve got no choice -

turns with back to tree, wings in protecting egg, sweating. wolves circle. wolf lunges, scra kicks it away.

S: sorry, kid. this was no start in life for you.

wolf lunges again, ky lands on its head. turns around the clearing, wings spread and teeth bared. another attacks and ky punches it away. others circle warily.

K: GO! or i’ll break your necks with my bare hands.

C: well, that won’t be necessary.

see others above, weapons drawn. wolves retreat into trees.

R: that was a bit badass, Ky, ill be honest.

F: reckless. wolves, really?

C: regardless of the acts of stupidity that brought us here (looks at brother who was keeping watch who shrugs) we need to move before they return. (looks to philo) you said there wasn’t an inn for miles, how many miles are we talking?

P: it’ll-take-the-rest-of-the-night-flying-to-reach-one number of miles

C: looks like we’re in for a long night, then. get moving. you - (looks at scra) no more going off on your own, and you (to ky) don’t land in the middle of any more packs of wolves, got it?

k&S: yes, ma’am.

C: everyone in the air, the quicker we get there the quicker we can go back to sleep.

all flying. scra trying to readjust egg.

R: um, excuse me but what the flock is that.

everyone turns to him, scra blushes.

adol: is that an egg? really?

F: where did you get that -

S: …i heard voices in the woods and followed them to a tree. a couple were putting something in it, so i went to look after the flew off. why would they leave their child in a -

F: you fool. go and return it immediately.

S: what?!

R: it’s a Cuckoo’s egg. if a couple think their egg doesn’t look right, they place it in the designated tree hollow and hope that the Cuckoo who stole their real egg and replaced it with theirs will return their real child to them if theirs is left out in the cold.

F: Brood parasites

S: what are you even - there was a Cuckoo who ran the orphanage i lived in and i’ve never heard of -

R:that’s ironic.  im surprised they let one near children, they’re not allowed to work in hospitals or have anything to do with chicks on the Island, and they’re basically pariahs here.

F: it’s taboo to remove an egg from the Cuckoo tree.

S: so what, I’m cursed now? (sarcastically)

R: yeah who cares, if Scra wants to save a kid from dying I’m not gonna be the asshole who stops him. How many stupid traditions and superstitions actually just harm others, anyway.

S: i could try find the parents and -

K: that won’t work, they won’t take it back and they’ll come after you for ruining their chances of their “real” child being returned.

C: if you insist on it, we will find an appropriate home for the chick once we reach the capitol. until then, it is your responsibility, Scra.

S: (to egg) I’ll look after you, i promise.

dawn, everyone entering inn yawning.

C: thanks to the generous contribution from the Vermilioss clan, we don’t all have to pile into one room. sort yourselves out and no one disturb me.

ky and scra walking down hallway. philo catches up to them.

P: you know, i really thought you two were lying about being Bonded, i thought it was just some weird miscommunication that you two idiots went along with because you seem like the types who wouldnt want to inconvenience anyone. (to ky) but the way you ran after him today when you heard that howl and saw he was missing, ive never seen anyone fly so fast. and then take on a pack of wolves unarmed. im still not totally convinced…but im not unconvinced, either. night.

boys in bed, scra has wing around egg.

K: what species do you think it is?

S: i dont know, it was dark so i couldnt see the parents, and im not familiar with this shell pattern either. it doesnt matter, regardless. thanks…for saving me, again. if you don’t want to keep lying to the others about us, we can stop. …i do like having you with me, though. i don’t feel so out of my element then, at least. sorry if im being selfish.

K: if you’re being selfish then i am, too. (scra raises eyebrow) i…hate to ask you to keep doing this, but i might actually need us to keep it up a bit longer once we reach the capitol. just until i save keelee, anyway.

S: really? i don’t mind, but why -

K: I’ll explain once we’re there. …you told me once that Neekia’s mom found you just-hatched in an abandoned building in the City. (ep101)

S: yeah, she did. (holds egg tighter).