AVATAR: EMPIRE OF ICE
BOOK 2: TRADE
CHAPTER 3: KIMIKO
We fade in on a crescent moon, and then slowly pan down to a merchant ship, sailing through the north sea. The ship has the figurehead of a Lion Turtle protruding from the bow.
Then we cut to a close up of a small wooden bear. Napak, a merchant guard, is whittling the bear with waterbending. We hear his buddy Tikuama walk over.
Tikuama
Is that a squirrel-frog?
Napak
No. It's a bear.
Tikuama
It doesn't look like a bear.
Napak
Have you ever seen a bear?
Tikuama
I've seen a drawing.
Napak looks up with annoyance at Tikuama, then they both hear a splash and look out.
We cut to the moonlit sea. There's something thrashing around in the distance. Then they hear a woman's voice.
Woman
Help me! Please!
Napak and Tikuama look at each other in shock, then they look back.
Napak
Hold on!
Napak and Tikuama get into position to raise an ice platform, then they pause.
Tikuama
Wait, you're Kamakoi, right?
They hear another splash.
Woman
Yes!
They nod and then get back into position, raising an ice platform. The woman hoists herself onto it and they reel it back towards the ship. Tikuama runs and grabs some rope, throwing it over the side.
We cut to a wide shot of the ship. The woman grabs the rope and they pull her aboard.
Then we cut to a close up of water droplets hitting the deck, followed by her shoes. They're stylish, outfitted with loud wooden soles. She takes a few steps and they go click-clack click-clack.
Woman
Oh, thank you so much! Thank you, thank you! I thought I was a goner!
We cut to the woman from the back as Napak and Tikuama stare at her. A few other guards crowd around behind them. She grabs her hair and squeezes water out of it. As she does, we see an assortment of fancy jewelry on her wrists and fingers.
Tikuama
(Awkwardly laughs) Anything for a lady in need.
Tikuma glances amongst his fellow guards. Then we cut to another close up of her jewelry.
Napak
You know how little traffic there is around here? You're lucky we happened to be passing by.
Woman
I'm lucky? You boys don't know who I am, do you?
They signal that they don't. The woman then sticks her hand out for them to shake.
As Napak shakes her hand, the camera pans up to her face and we see that it's Ta, decked out in wet, fancy clothing and a new hairstyle. She smiles warmly.
Ta
They call me Kimiko.
We cut to the owner of The Lion Turtle, Yakan, a man with a bird on his shoulder. He's stroking his chin in thought.
Yakan
I don't normally take on errant passengers… (Then he looks up with a smile) But if what you're saying is true, I couldn't possibly say no to a member of the Ukuye family.
Another crewmember, Sotai, barges in from the storeroom.
Sotai
The Ukuye family? (He looks at Ta) Are you related to…
Ta
Haikoto Ukuye? (Sotai nods) Yes, I am. He's my father.
Sotai
Koi on a corncob… He's a military legend.
Ta smirks and nods. Yakan turns to the bird on his shoulder.
Yakan
Looks like we've got another crewmember, Utu. (The bird squawks, he turns to Ta) Welcome aboard The Lion Turtle, Kimiko Ukuye.
Ta
(Bowing) I most humbly thank you. And of course, after I've told my family about the heroes who saved me from an icy grave, well, I don't expect you'll be going home empty-handed.
Yakan sits back, smiling with satisfaction.
Yakan
Music to my ears.
We cut to Napak and Tikuama, who are eavesdropping from down the hall. Napak turns to Tikuama, who looks thrilled.
Napak
(Whispering) Oh, please. You think we're gonna get a piece of that pie?
Tikuama looks down in disappointment. Suddenly, they hear a door opening, and a woman walks down the stairs from the sailor's station. Napak and Tikuama hear her and quickly shut up.
As the woman walks down the hall, the guards straighten out and nod at her.
Napak
Good evening, Lina, ma'am.
Lina rolls her eyes and pats Napak on the arm.
Lina
At ease. (Napak and Tikuama relax, and she hears the commotion down the hall) What's going on?
Napak
We rescued someone.
Tikuama
She's rich!
Lina raises her eyebrow, then she peers into the kitchen. She sees "Kimiko" shaking Yakan's hand.
We cut to the clinking of wine-filled glasses.
Ta
So I say to him, (Snaps her fingers) 'hand over the looking glass, boy.' And I peer through, thinking nothing of it.
We cut to Ta, theatrically gesticulating in front of the crew. Yakan and Sotai are sitting in rapt attention. Lina remains aloof, sipping from her glass.
Ta
Sweet feathered flotsam. My anchorboy was right. These goons weren't flying the Scepter & Pike. In fact, they didn't have a flag to hang from. They were bandits!
Yakan
(Shaking his head) In this day and age…
Ta
Precisely! You think with the Empire's stranglehold on the North Sea, they would have curbed this ridiculous behavior by now. (Someone hands her a glass of wine from out of frame, which she rejects) Sorry, I'm much too rattled.
Sotai
What happened next?
Ta looks down, sadly, taking a moment.
Ta
They laid waste to my loyal crew. My sweet anchorboy. (Sighs) And then they… They... (Ta dramatically poses, holding her head back in grief) I can't talk about it! It's too painful!
Yakan and Sotai offer their comforting words. We cut to Lina, who glances at "Kimiko" with scepticism.
Lina
You said you were sailing back from the southern shore? What was your business there?
Ta wipes her eyes.
Ta
I'm a traveler, you see. I've been all over the world.
Lina
(Double-take) Honey, your father allows you to leave the Empire's borders? Regularly?
Lina looks "Kimiko" up and down again. Ta looks back and raises her eyebrows.
Sotai
(Quietly) Isn't it lawless down there?
Ta shifts her gaze to Sotai and nods her head with a sly grin.
Ta
As an arm of the Kamakoi Trade Commission, it's my job to scope out investment opportunities the world over. After all, how do you suppose we became an Empire in the first place? By keeping to ourselves?
Sotai nods, working it out in his head. Ta clacks over to the chair with her loud shoes and sits down, putting one leg over the other. Then she glances at Lina.
Ta
My father enlisted me.
Lina nods, her gaze still fixed on "Kimiko".
Sotai
So? What was it like down there?
Ta takes a moment, drumming her fingers on the table, then she looks up at Sotai.
Ta
Those people have no idea what's coming for them.
Sotai, Yakan, and Lina don't know what to make of this comment. They stare at "Kimiko" in confusion. Sotai then leans in, speaking conspiratorially.
Sotai
Aren't we… Bringing civilization to them?
Ta blinks, then she lets out a breezy chuckle and nods.
Ta
Yes. Of course we are.
We cut back to Lina, who's now eyeing "Kimiko" with a slightly intrigued look.
Yakan
So. (Yakan sits with his fingers forming an arch) I know your father operates out of Taipan Bay. Is that where you were headed yourself?
Ta
I couldn't possibly take you out of your way. So tell me, where is The Lion Turtle poised to dock?
Yakan
I've been sent by my company, well, Lina's company, (He looks over at Lina and nudges her on the shoulder. Lina grimaces, then he looks back) to make a big splash in the Kiriko Trading Bazaar.
Ta
You don't say!
Yakan
Indeed. (Side-eyes Lina) A prestigious opportunity for us all.
Lina finishes her wine with an annoyed expression, then begins to pour a second cup. Ta leans forward with her hand on her heart.
Ta
My summer home is in Kiriko. Can you believe that?
Yakan
What luck!
Ta
Kimiko from Kiriko! That's what they call me!
Yakan
Well, cheers. To this stroke of fate.
They offer "Kimiko" some wine again. She demures, but eventually takes the glass.
Sotai
Cheers! To Kimiko from Kiriko!
They clink glasses again and drink. We see Ta bring the glass to her lips and tip it without actually drinking. She looks at the crewmembers, then she momentarily shares eye contact with Lina.
We cut to later that night. Ta is lying on her cot in darkness, her eyes wide open. When she begins to hear snoring from the other room, she slides off the cot and stands up.
We cut to the stairs leading down to the lower level of the cabin. Ta's fancy shoes descend down the stairs, click-clack click-clack. Ta reaches the bottom and is about to turn, then jumps when she hears a sound.
Lina
Kimiko.
Ta looks over, startled. Lina is still up, sitting at the table in the kitchen, reading a book.
Ta
Goodness! You scared me half to death.
Lina
Sorry, honey. I couldn't sleep.
Lina takes a sip of wine and puts down the book. Ta nods politely, then turns.
Lina
Can I tell you a secret?
We cut to a close up of Ta, whose face changes slightly, before she gets back in character and looks inquisitive.
Ta
...Sure, Lina.
Lina
(Leans in and whispers) You're not alone.
Ta
Hmm?
Lina winks at her, then looks back down at her book.
Lina
There's more of us than you might think.
Ta stares at Lina, almost looking scared for a second. Then she nudges her head toward the hallway.
Ta
Well, I'm gonna…
Lina
(Looks up) Alright, honey.
Ta gives a half-hearted smile and turns around. We stay on Lina as she watches "Kimiko" walk down the hall. She gives a smile of understanding and then looks back down at her scroll, taking another drink.
We follow Ta's loud shoes as makes her way to the washroom. She arrives at the door and opens it, then closes it behind her.
Beat.
Inside the washroom, Ta leans over the basin in front of a grimy mirror. A small candle flickers beside her.
Ta looks down for a long time. Then she slowly looks up at herself. Her real self. She closes her eyes in disgust, letting out a long, dispassionate sigh.
We cut back to Lina, who reads for a moment more. Then she glances up from her scroll to have another sip of wine. As she sips, she looks down the hallway before raising her eyebrow.
The door to the washroom is open.
Lina walks over and looks inside. All she finds are "Kimiko's" fancy shoes, abandoned on the floor.
We cut to Ta's bare feet, following them as she quietly slinks across the deck. A faint, willowy flute score pipes in, then it turns ominous as she brandishes an ice dagger, which sparkles in the moonlight.
We cut to one of the guards, patiently watching the sea. He suddenly starts gurgling and Ta covers his mouth. He clutches his neck but it's too late, he's bleeding out. As he falls, Ta grabs him and helps him to the floor.
We cut to a wide shot. Ta sneaks up behind the last guard and he quietly meets the same fate, joining the other 4, who are littered across the deck. We cut to a close up of Napak's wooden bear lying next to him, splattered with blood.
We see Ta from a low angle as she bends the bloody ice dagger out of the guard's neck and back into a liquid, then she forms a smooth mirror. She tilts the mirror in accordance with the moon above her, and bounces the light off into the distance.
A moment passes, then a light bounces back.
We cut to the front of Kirin's ship, adorned by the bronze serpent figurehead. The waves cut and foam around it.
We pan across the group, first seeing Kirin, a nervous wreck, followed by Oni and Ayana. Oni whispers something in Ayana's ear and she blushes. Then she continues preparing. Next, we see Teepo, who is vengefully lurking in the corner as he packs his bag. Finally, we see Lao, who is standing at the side of the ship. She looks determined, but somber.
Lao walks over to Teepo, who is clutching a small black stone.
Lao
Are you sure this will do the trick?
Teepo nods, handing the stone to Lao. Ayana walks up and looks at it.
Ayana
Stage performers have been using iodite for centuries. It produces an 'ethereal' smog.
Oni
Just don't breathe it in. (Winks)
Lao looks down at the stone, then hands it back to Teepo. Ayana puts her hand on Lao's shoulder, looking her in the eyes.
Ayana
Are you sure you want to do this?
Lao looks ahead. Ta's silhouette is waving them in from The Lion Turtle as their ship approaches. We see Lao gazing at Ta, then she turns to Ayana.
Lao
Mhm.
Ayana nods, then grabs Lao's hands.
Ayana
The guru will understand.
We cut to a close up of Lao. A moment passes, then she nods back at Ayana.
We cut to Oni jumping onto Yakan's ship. Oni and Ta get to work, bending water out of the sea and sealing the ship's ventilation with ice.
We cut to the four sailors on the second level. All around them, the ship is being plugged up. Oni and Ta leave two small holes on either end of the sailor's station. Then Lao, Ayana, and Teepo get to work. Ta and Oni give them ice platforms to stand on.
Teepo pulls out the Iodite and holds it up to the hole. He starts torching the rock with his firebending and eventually it gives off a purple smoke. Ayana funnels the air so that the smoke is directed away from them and into the hole.
We cut to the sailors looking around, wondering what's going on. Then they spot the small hole the smoke is pouring in from. Then the breathable air is vacuumed out of the room, suffocating them.
On the other side, Lao bends the breathable air out through the little hole. She winces as she hears the sailors choke in a matter of seconds. After they all collapse, she draws the toxic smoke out of the hole and sends it off into the sky.
We cut to Lina, desperately trying to open the door leading out to the deck. She turns and runs down the stairs, then bangs on Yakan's door.
Lina
Yakan! Sotai! Something is happening!
We see Yakan drowsily open the door as Lina runs over to Sotai's door and bangs on it. Suddenly, she sees the ice coating the ship through the slats. She starts to melt the ice, revealing the night sky behind it. Then a slithering string score pipes in as shadows pass by the open slats. Yakan arms himself with water, widening his eyes.
Yakan
Bandits.
Sotai looks around.
Sotai
Where's Kimiko?
Lina
I don't know...
Lina, Yakan, and Sotai watch in fear as the shadows make their way towards the door. The slithering strings build up to a crescendo, and we see Teepo pulling a rope taut.
We cut to Lina, tied to a chair with a rag in her mouth. She cries fearfully and looks down at the floor to her right. Her two crewmates are ragdolls now. Lina starts crying again, shrieking in muffled protest.
Ta slowly walks up from behind and rests her hands on Lina's temples. Then we pan up to Ta's resigned expression.
Ta
I'm sorry. This isn't personal.
The camera pans over to a large sheet of parchment nailed to the wall behind Ta. Drawn on the parchment is an anatomic model of a brain, separated into different sections, each labeled. Several sections are already crossed out.
We cut to Lao, who is standing outside the captain's quarters. She looks down and sees blue light start to emanate from beneath the door, then she quickly walks away.
The camera zooms in on the blue light and we hear the electrical hum. Lina starts groaning violently.
We cut back to the illustration of the brain. Ta's hand comes into frame and crosses out another section.
Oni is ridding Yakan's body of jewelry. He grabs some rings and a necklace and some earrings, including "Kimiko's", and tosses them in a sack.
Kirin
(Looking around at the sea) Hurry up, hurry up!
The last thing Oni puts in the sack are "Kimiko's" fancy shoes. Then he jumps onto Kirin's ship. He hands the sack to Kirin, who stows it away. Oni then sticks out his hand for Kirin to shake.
Oni
Thank you, Kirin… For everything.
Kirin gives Oni an exasperated look, then shakes his hand. Oni climbs back onto Yakan's ship and Ayana and Lao join him, waving goodbye to Kirin. Kirin nervously looks up at them.
Ayana
(Leaning off the side of the boat) You sure you don't want to stick around?
Kirin chuckles manically and shakes his head.
Kirin
No. No, no, no, no, no. No way. (He looks up at them, specifically Teepo) This man you're going after is very powerful! If you get caught, which you will, don't mention my name! Ever!
Kirin then glances at Ta, through the slats of the ship, and he shakes his head.
Kirin
What am I saying? It doesn't matter…
Then Kirin turns back to the gang.
Kirin
Please, all of you, for the love of Koi. Do not come back to the capital! You understand me?! (Gesturing wildly) Do not come back!
Oni
Love you too, cousin!
Lao side-eyes Oni and smiles. Kirin's sailors get to work and his ship departs. We cut back to a close up of Kirin, rubbing his face.
Kirin
(Muttering) Goodbye, crazytown...
Then we watch as Kirin's ship disappears in the distance.
We cut to Ta, who walks out of the captain's quarters and onto the deck, where Ayana, Teepo, and Oni are dragging bodies and tossing them off the ship.
As Ta walks by, Teepo looks up and drops his half of the body, causing Tikuama's head to hit the floorboard. Oni looks up in annoyance.
Teepo follows Ta to the side of the ship and stands there, watching her for a moment. We cut to Ta, who is looking off at the sea. Then Teepo walks up and joins her.
He looks at Ta expectantly. She looks back at Teepo and shakes her head. Teepo looks down in disappointment, then he looks back at her.
Teepo
That's okay. It doesn't matter. What matters is that the plan worked. So, uh… Good job! Right, everyone?
The team gives Ta a round of applause. She doesn't like this, and looks down at her hands, fidgeting her fingers.
Ta
You should thank yourselves. Your acting lessons really paid off.
Ta then looks back at Teepo, who is smiling awkwardly at her.
Ta
What?
Teepo scratches his head.
We cut to Ayana and Oni, who are watching the two from a distance. Ayana grins. Lao then walks out from the cabin and joins them. Ayana puts her arm around Oni, then talks in a sing-songy voice as she watches Teepo.
Ayana
Someone's got a little crush.
Lao looks at Teepo and Ta with worry. Then she looks back at Ayana and Oni.
Lao
I checked through the merchandise below deck. It's all there, nothing out of place.
Ayana slowly turns to Lao, her eyes wide.
Ayana
Everything?
Lao
Everything.
We cut to black, then a lid opens and we're looking up at Ayana and Oni, who are staring down at us in wonder.
Ayana
(Hungrily) Crab legs.
We cut to the inside of another barrel as Oni pries it open.
Ayana
Apples. Plums.
We see this shot repeated a few more times as Ayana stares down in wonder.
Ayana
Cinnamon. (Next) Zucchini. (Next) Pickled cabbage.
We cut to the interior of the ship's storeroom, as Oni uses waterbending to pry another barrel open. Whatever is in the barrel is sloshing around. Ayana leans down and takes a sniff.
Ayana
I already know what's in this one.
Oni gets the lid off, revealing a dark liquid.
Ayana
(With anime sparkles in her eyes) Fish sauce. This has gotta be worth four hundred Kue, easily.
Oni
Five hundred.
Suddenly, Teepo speaks up from the corner.
Teepo
We're not here to make money.
Ayana looks up at Teepo with guilt.
Ayana
I know. I know.
Oni
But we can snag a little bit, right? No one will know the difference.
Ayana and Oni look at Teepo, then the three of them look towards Ta, who is sitting in the kitchen.
Oni
Ta?
We cut to a small note scrawled on the tablecloth. It reads "Copper toothache".
Ta is staring down at the note. After a moment, she turns to them. Then she gets up and walks towards the merchandise, examining it.
Ta
Hmm. A little off the top.
The three nod and start grabbing. Lao rolls the last barrel out and Ta helps her set it upright. Oni comes over and pries it open. The barrel is full of small purple berries on long, pale stems.
Ta's head tilts as she sees them, and the camera inches towards her.
Ayana
Yes. I was looking for something juicy.
Ayana and Oni pop some berries in their mouths. Lao goes for one but Ta stops her, then motions to Ayana and Oni.
We cut back to them and their faces are contorted in disgust. Suddenly Teepo reaches into the barrel from behind them.
Teepo
Ooh, berries. Yum.
Teepo pops a berry and his mouth and bites down, then immediately spits it out.
Teepo
BLECH!
Oni nods and spits as well, followed by Ayana. The three of them start scraping gray goop off of their tongues.
Ta looks at Lao with an amused smirk. Lao looks back in confusion and then down at the berries.
Lao
Do you know what these are? The manifest just said 'Berries'.
Ta
They're called Lacquer-Berries. (She looks at Oni, Ayana and Teepo) Not for eating.
Oni
(Spits) Clearly. So what are they for?
Ta stares at the berry.
Ta
The Kamakoi use it to make their ships fireproof. And shiny.
Oni
I see...
Teepo
How do you know all that, Ta?
We cut to a startling flashback of Kato in his royal pajamas. He's in the palace library. Kato yanks a couple of scrolls off the shelf and stuffs them in his bag.
We cut to Ta, sitting on the bed in Kato's room, nervously fidgeting her fingers. Then the door opens and she looks up with a hint of a smile.
Ta
Hi.
We cut to Kato, standing in the doorway, also kind of smiling.
Kato
Hi.
Then we cut to the two of them rummaging through the scrolls. Ta holds one up and examines it.
Ta
'The Documentation and Application of Modern Kamakoi Warfare, Reference Guide, Part One.'
Kato holds up another one.
Kato
I figure if I'm going against my uncle tomorrow, I have to prepare myself. And that means learning everything I can about our military.
Ta gives Kato a slightly amused look and nods.
Ta
Yes, that makes sense…
Kato notices Ta's expression and raises his eyebrow at her.
Kato
What?
Ta looks at him for a moment, then she blushes and looks away.
Ta
I don't know… (She picks up a scroll and thumbs through it) Hey, look at that. Neat.
Kato smiles and blushes slightly, glancing at her scroll.
We cut to later, Kato and Ta are lying down next to each other in bed, looking at Part 4. We cut to an illustration of the small purple berry on a long stem.
Kato
'L Fifty Four. Lacquer-Berry.'
Ta
'The flesh of the Lacquer-Berry is not consumed. Rather, it is to be boiled down to remove its water content. Once the water is removed, what remains will be a slick, gelatinous paste.' Sounds scrumptious.
Kato giggles and yanks the scroll.
Kato
'For much of time, this substance was used as a fireproof sealant for woodwork. However, three decades ago it became common practice to use it to coat the hull of all class five imperial warships. As a consequence, demand for the Lacquer-berry has grown ten-fold in recent years.'
Kato and Ta share a confused glance with each other, then they look back at the scroll.
Ta
'L Fifty Five. Ladders.'
We cut back to the present. Ta holds a berry in her hand, staring at it.
Ta
(Shrugs) Some old scroll...
Then she tosses the Lacquer-berry back into the barrel and shuts the lid, leaving us in darkness.
We fade in on the morning sun. The mast of The Lion Turtle stands beside it. With the creak of a pulley, the Kamakoi flag is raised to the top of the mast, blocking out the sun.
Then we hear the crooning of seabirds, and a pleasant, welcoming score kicks in as we cut to a large, archlike sculpture in the middle of the sea. The sculpture depicts an ancient looking couple dancing.
As The Lion Turtle sails in, we see just how enormous this statue is. The ship passes by underneath the statue and an ice platform juts out from one of the legs.
We cut to Oni and Ta, who watch as the ice platform sticks out in front of the ship.
A sharply dressed woman stands on the platform, accompanied by two waterbenders who are holding the structure up. The woman gracefully steps onto Yakan's ship and greets the two with a friendly, yet professional smile.
Woman
A blessed day to you both. Welcome to Kiriko!
Oni
Blessed day. (Ta curtsies)
Woman
Are you here by appointment?
Oni
Yes, we reserved a spot in the Kiriko Trading Bazaar. My name is Yakan.
Woman
Excellent. One moment.
The woman pulls out a scroll and unfurls it. Then she scans it for a moment before nodding.
Woman
Yes, here you are. Yakan with the Northern Kukai Trading Company. May I hear the special phrase which was assigned to you?
Oni
Yes. (Clears his throat) Copper toothache.
Woman
(Examines his info) Very good. Just a heads up, as I see you're a first time seller. (Looks back up) When you pull into port, you show them this card. (She pulls out a metal card, engraved with several glyphs, and hands it to Oni) Our trade officers are going to go through your merchandise to make sure everything is in order. Meanwhile, you'll be shown to your lodging. There, you can rest up a while and we'll make sure to return your wares before you even miss them! (Oni nods and smiles, then she rolls the scroll back up) Okay, then. Happy hunting!
The woman turns and steps back onto the ice platform. Ta watches as the waterbenders pull it back into the leg of the statue, disappearing. Then the large gate ahead of them opens up.
We cut to a hazy crowd of people dressed in flower necklaces and loose casual clothing. The welcoming score continues, but softly and hesitantly, as The Lion Turtle pulls into port. There are palm trees and white sand beaches and people frolicking.
We see a group of trade officers gathering around the ship. Oni steps off and produces his metal card, which sparkles in the sunlight.
We cut to a lavish spread of fruits, nuts, and sashimi, set on a wooden table.
Oni
We call this room!
We cut to the interior of the villa the gang is staying at. It's very Kiriko. Oni is standing outside of the master bedroom. Ayana joins him, and Oni and her kiss before closing the door behind them.
Teepo rolls his eyes and looks over at Ta, who's adjusting the flower necklace she's been given. Ta takes off her coat and puts on an island robe, carefully buttoning each button.
Ta then looks up at Teepo and Lao.
Ta
See you tonight.
Teepo
Wait. (Ta stops and looks back) You sure you don't want backup? I can do it.
Ta scrunches her face at Teepo, then shakes her head.
Teepo
Fine…
Lao
Good luck.
Ta nods and walks out of the villa, heading off towards the city square. Teepo then looks at Lao, before looking at the second bedroom.
Teepo
You two can have it. I'll sleep on the couch out here.
Lao
Are you sure?
Teepo nods, then fans his face before taking off his coat.
Teepo
This place is hot, isn't it? Why is it so hot?
Lao
Well… (Lao walks over to the couch and sits down) This whole island is sitting on a dormant volcano.
We cut to a sign, which reads 'Kiriko City Records'. There are decorative seashells around the words. We hear children playing in the background.
Suddenly, we jump cut to the same sign that night, hearing nothing but crickets. The camera pans down to the front door, which a man walks out of. He closes the door behind him and locks it. Then he strolls out of frame.
Suddenly the man grunts and falls to the ground, before we hear his keys jangling. Ta sneaks into frame and walks up to the door of Kiriko City Records. She slides the key in and unlocks the door, opening it. As she walks in, she scans the street for any witnesses. Then she begins to close the door.
We match cut to the door to the villa closing shut. Ta walks inside. Teepo hears her and jumps up from the couch, before looking at her expectantly.
Teepo
Did you…?
Ta
Mhm.
Teepo's eyes widen as Ta reaches into her sack and pulls out a large scroll. Then she sets it on the table.
Teepo
Guys, wake up!
The master bedroom door opens and Oni and Ayana walk out. Lao follows from the other bedroom.
Ayana
You got it?
Ta nods again, and Ayana does an airfist.
Ayana
Yes!
Oni turns to Teepo and pats him on the back. Teepo looks back anxiously. Lao rubs Ta's arm and nods to her.
Lao
It went alright?
Ta
Yes. No guards, no nothing. It was easy.
We cut to Teepo, who is looking at Ta with admiration and intimidation. Ta unfurls the scroll and weighs it down on both ends, then Teepo examines its contents.
Teepo
Is he here?
Ta
See for yourself.
We cut to Teepo, scanning over the scroll. Then we cut to the scroll, panning across an assortment of glyphs, which are marking various points on a map of the island. We cut back to Teepo, who suddenly sees what he's looking for. His eyes narrow.
Teepo
There he is.
Ayana, Oni and Lao gather around the map, looking down at it. We cut back to the map. Teepo's finger rests on a certain point, marked by a name:
Teepo
Zamuto Phong. (Sing-songy) We found you.
We cut to a close up of the night stand next to the bed. Ta walks by and places Napak's wooden bear down.
We cut to Lao with her arm around Ta. The two are in bed together, lit by the moonlight shining through the window.
The camera slowly zooms in as they both stare at the ceiling. Finally, Ta speaks.
Ta
You're worried about me.
Lao sighs, and another moment passes.
Lao
I know you're strong, and you're capable. And that this mission is a righteous one. But… These things that you've been doing. They weigh on a person.
Lao turns and looks at Ta, who looks back.
Lao
I'm worried about your soul.
Ta smiles at Lao in acknowledgement, then grabs her hand and looks back at the ceiling. They both stare up, Ta rubbing her thumb over Lao's fingers, comforting her.
Ta
Oh, Lao… (Affectionately sighs) You're too late. The fate of my soul is already cast.
A long beat goes by.
Lao
Hmm?
Ta
You know when it happened, right?
Lao gulps and looks over at Ta, who continues to stare at the ceiling.
Ta
It happened the night I turned Kido's brain into seaweed soup.
The camera continues to zoom in, focusing on Lao as Ta edges out of frame.
Ta
And I did the same to his buddy. And I did it to the guards at the trading post. And I did it to the nice woman whose clothes I'm now wearing. (Beat) And I'm going to keep doing it until I get it right.
The camera settles on Lao's face, who looks back at the ceiling, full of worry and guilt. Ta kisses her on the head and then pulls up the covers.
TO BE CONTINUED...