Episode 5
ILARA
It’s rude to sniff your drinks.
NOVA
I’m not trying to die here Ilara, I just want to make it through the rest of my route without passing out in a snowbank.
ILARA
You wouldn’t survive
NOVA
Exactly (gulping, sputtering, and coughing)
(With distaste) Mmm, shit, fuck a demon on a goddamn skillet, you weren’t kidding about the taste.
ILARA
There’s nothing to be done. Should I continue?
NOVA
(Still coughing)
Yes. Shit, that was disgusting. Passwords first, trade route changes next, taxes and rumors last.
ILARA
Should I get water?
NOVA
No, I’m fine, thanks. (beat) How long has this drink been here?
ILARA
I’m not
NOVA
Approximations are fine. Talk fast.
ILARA
Maybe 5 months ago, on the Imperial calendar?
NOVA
(Teasingly)
You’ve missed a couple shipments, Ilara.
ILARA
That’s unlikely
NOVA
(Happily)
Mhmm, moving on. (nervously) We’re uh (beat) going to speed right through this, okay?
ILARA
Is something the matter?
NOVA
Talk fast. Now. Passwords, trade routes, taxes, rumors. In that order.
ILARA1
For the northern gate it’s, in the night the growls haunt
The western gates is “guess this stupid Vraka bastards”
Southern gates vary, but they usually have a code and the book tome this time is Calvara’s original scroll…I suppose for the iirony
The eastern gate has collapsed and is under construction
Calvara faction trade has shifted to the western gates, while the Vraka has started going to the north. Vraka harvest has been poor, the Calvara have not lowered taxes accordingly, leading to some unrest in the south. There have been rumors of gatherings starting in bars and churches. The Calvara have started to burn them down.
NOVA
(Indulgently, like speaking to a child)
Did you know that you always say “the Calvara” like they’re some big bad you aren’t part of?
ILARA
I am a part of what keeps my family fed.
NOVA
(Stifling giggles)
Dammit, sorry, no continue. Quickly.
ILARA
That is all I know.
Rustling sounds
NOVA
(Muttering quietly)
With the rumors, trade changes, information on the shipments coming in and out that’s uhm (beat). Fuck it with the numbers. (Beat, struggling with mental math) rumors, trade changes, info on shipments. Fuck. Shit, shit.
(Louder)
How much do I usually pay you? 400? (beat) 500 imperial units?
IILARA
(Concerned)
Between 300 and 400 are you alright?
NOVA
(Long pause)
Right. 400. You give me more on that Gnorrian (?) ship, where it went and what was on it I’ll give you, (beat, clearly taking the number from thin air) double. Find out where the water and heat lamps are coming from and where the money goes I’ll triple it.
Sound of winding down vwee. Ambient sounds resume.
ILARA
Thank you as always.
NOVA
I’ll be back next
Sound of stumbling.
ILARA
Are you alright?
NOVA
(High pitched laughter)
No, I’m great. Oh god is the floor moving or is that me?
ILARA
You should stay.
NOVA
(cheerfully)
I’d literally rather die.
ILARA
You’re stumbling.
NOVA
No shit, I need to get my ship. Information couriers, you know. You’d think information would make for light cargo, but it’s not (Deliriously) got to drop it before it burns a hole in my pocket…or someone else drills one through my heart. It’s a dangerous job, you know?
ILARA
Nova
NOVA
Another stumble.
(Laughing, surprised/delighted)
Fuck!
ILARA
I didn’t think it would affect humans in such a manner.
NOVA
Cactus water from Canos is more recreational with our biology. (Annoyed) Whatever you mixed it with makes it fucking disgusting. (Joyfully)You can hide the taste but not the feeling.
ILARA
Do you need help?
NOVA
(obvi trying to concentrate)
Uh-uh give me a few minutes, I’m (beat, trying to rein herself in) pulling myself together. Ah, I hate this shit.
ILARA
My apologies, I didn’t know.
NOVA
You couldn’t have, it’s a controlled substance (laughing)
ILARA
What is it?
NOVA
I had things to do today, Jeanne’s gonna kill me.
ILARA
I can’t let you leave like this. It would reflect poorly on me as a host.
NOVA
(content)
Mmmm
ILARA
Nova!
NOVA
What?
ILARA
Is (beat) is there anything I can get you?
NOVA
Mmm mmm, I’m good. It’s quiet. Quiet’s good. Let’s me focus.
ILARA
What about your ship?
NOVA
Getting to it, can’t stay long, bad for clients. Bad for business. I’ll be up in a couple minutes just (long pause)
ILARA
Just what?
NOVA
What?
ILARA
You were in the middle of
NOVA
Quiet, Ilara. Quiet’s good, keep your little hell spawn in the other room please. I’ll be out of your fur in a few. I’ve always wanted to know, is it as soft as it looks? I can’t feel anything through the gloves but you look like you’d be soft.
ILARA
You will stay until you can walk
Faint sound of footsteps, dog paws on wooden floors if available
NOVA
(sing song)
No can do Ilara, (reciting in mockery of Jeanne’s voice) clients must be kept safe. (Beat) You know, I talk a lot of trash, but Arilia’s a sweet kid, a good kid even if they are chatty as hell. I have to be really fucking careful, especially when I visit you.
ILARA
You almost sound like you like them.
NOVA
I do like them. But don’t tell them that, they’ll get a huge head. (Cackles) oh god, I shouldn’t have imagined it.
ILARA
Arilia did you hear all that?
ARILIA
Papa said, you liked me.
NOVA
(Exasperated)
Alright, time to go.
Sounds of trying to rise and stumbling
Wall don’t you start acting like that floor bastard
ARILIA
Papa is she okay?
NOVA
She is tired, the world is going a little funny, and she needs to remember the reason she shouldn’t stay in the warm house with the nice people until the ground decides to stop being a dick.
ILARA
You should stay
NOVA
No.
ARILIA
Why?
NOVA
Because Laughs) Jeanne is just the worst, alright? Anyway I just need somewhere to sleep, my ship is warm and cozy, and she (Long pause) oh, I just wanna bed. (distracted concern) Sorry, what was the question? Did I answer it?
ARILIA
No
NOVA
Great, I’m leaving.
ILARA
That is unwise
ARILIA
You heard Papa, he says to stay.
NOVA
Nope
Simultaneously and in the background
ARILIA
(Whining)
But Papa said so, so that means you should stay
NOVA
I said no
ILARA
I cannot in good faith let you go
SAWA
(clearly)
Nova is straight ahead
NOVA
(laughs delightedly, for like 2-3 seconds)
SAWA!
