Episode 4: Ambient sounds of walking through snow. Human and dog footprints if at all available ARILIA Papa says you’re late. NOVA Well, your papa is one of my most observant clients ARILIA He says a late inco only brings trouble. NOVA Well, fuck you too, kid. ARILIA That’s a no-no word NOVA I do a lot more than say no-no words. ARILIA Papa says Incos bring nothing but trouble even if they aren’t late. He says I should like it better when your kind aren’t around. NOVA Well, that’s where your Papa’s wrong. We bring trouble the way a fever brings a cold. We’re a symptom not a cause. ARILIA So, what are you bringing with you today? NOVA Trouble apparently, your Papa talks too much. ARILIA Papa said you’d say that. NOVA But he didn’t tell you to keep your mouth shut, fascinating. ARILIA You’re mean NOVA Hadn’t noticed. You guys still don’t believe in doors, huh? Yo, Ilara, I’m here. So, Nosy, do you have any information for me? ARILIA Last time you were here you said you were going to Eolara, but Raylia says that's not a real place! You lied to me! NOVA (playfully) You should have thought it was weird when I didn't charge you first ARILIA Papa says lying ILARA Arilia shush. Good morning Inco NOVA Good morning Gnorrian. ILARA (peevishly) My name is Ilara NOVA My name is Nova. Do we have to play this game every time? Or are you just getting senile? ILARA The Nova I know, is never late. I thought you must be someone new. NOVA Everybody’s a critic. Ship broke down. May I come in? ILARA Charming as always. Those who are welcomed over the threshold are welcomed into our hearts. NOVA Gee thanks. By the way, I hope you haven’t been telling your kid here any information. If you have, they’ve probably told half of Gnorria by now and I don’t pay for common knowledge. ILARA (Sternly) Arilia. ARILIA Sorry Papa. ILARA You seem more ornery than usual Sound of things unpacking NOVA I told you, my ship broke down. Has anyone with a broken ship been happy? ILARA Maybe it’s time to scrap it. It’s going to kill you one day. NOVA The day I get rid of it, is the day I buy my ass an A-class. ILARA Still dreaming big? Incos don’t tend to last that long. NOVA And yet here I am. It’s a living Ilara. (Loud *vwee* sounds, ambient noise grounds to a halt) I’d prefer it if you didn’t go around calling me an Inco. Security is getting suspicious and if I’m not on world, you’re not getting paid. ILARA I did not intend NOVA Your kid’s very chatty, I might have to extend my leave to a few months. ILARA Things are…getting dangerous. I may have spoken without making sure they were out of the room. NOVA On Gnorria things getting dangerous doesn’t have the same meaning as on Canos. Things here are…slow. What’s going on Ilara? ILARA I don’t know NOVA Please, for the love of all that is good and holy, tell me you have some information for me. I’ve hauled ass to get here in nine days and haven’t really been sleeping, and don’t get me started on SAWA ILARA I mean, nobody knows. NOVA You get paid for content, not by the hour. I’m not around to play word games. ILARA Dealing with you is always pleasant. NOVA Jeanne insists on trust, not likeability. I think I’ve proven myself to be just trustworthy. What have you got for me, Ilara? I know you didn’t contact Jeanne to tell me what you don’t know. ILARA The Calvara faction has been stocking on supplies from Canos, 40 vials of water were delivered three weeks ago, and 60 heat lamps came last week. NOVA What? ILARA Where those supplies have gone, I can’t say. NOVA Is there an embassy meeting soon? ILARA No, Catosians only come to Gnorria once every five solar cycles. It has only been two since the last. NOVA Any Catosian ships? Increases in Incos? ILARA There have been no Catosian ships, but a Gnorrian one left the capital once with unknown cargo. It was an early morning launch. I cannot find who was on it, or why it did so. As for Incos, you would know more than I. NOVA I don’t associate with the lower tiers. ILARA You don’t know any other Incos NOVA I know their territories. This one is mine. ILARA I have seen one or two going in and out of the palace, but I can’t be sure. NOVA In the palace? Damn, that’s ballsy. Humans? ILARA One was human, the other was Viopran. NOVA Can you describe them? ILARA With all that gear you look the same. The Viopran I knew only because of the eyes. NOVA What color? ILARA Pink, I think. We don’t get a lot of pink here, usually blue or brown. Sometimes red. NOVA They’re new then. Can pink even survive here? ILARA Are they in your territory? NOVA The palace is a death trap. Why go through all the trouble if you can just go into a cozy house with talkative children and someone tell you everything you need while making a nice warm cup of tea. ILARA There’s no tea. NOVA It may not seem important to you, but humans are supposed to sleep once every sixteen hours, I’ve been up for the last fifty. ILARA (Sighs) I don’t keep tea. There's (loud growl and a high-pitched whine) NOVA (Angrily) Shit, fuck, Ilara, there's no translation for that. ILARA For NOVA Don't fucking say it. What the hell is that? ILARA A good alternative to tea, that'll help you stay awake. NOVA Is it toxic to humans? ILARA I've seen one drink it. He didn't seem to like the taste, but he didn't die. NOVA I'm desperate. I'll bite.
