CIBUS ISLAND
Rin was sleeping, Kaya and Nuri and Ace entered his room and tried to get hold of the picture that he doesn't want to show, they looked around the room but couldn't find it.
Kaya pointed to his bed and how it could be either under the pillow or under the bed.... All three slowly try to look. Kaya looks under the bed and Nuri and Ace try to look under it. Rin had his eyes closed, and grabbed both Nuri and Ace's hand
Rin: Nice try.
Nuri: You knew we were here the whole time, right?
He stood up and sat on the bed.
Rin: Of course, what were you thinking?
Kaya and Nuri leave the room.
Ace: We'll find that picture sooner or later you know that?
Rin: I really doubt it
Ace: I will win the bet in no time.
Rin: A bet?
Ace: Yes. We all bet on what you drew.
Rin: What do you think I drew?
Ace: Code of conduct.
Rin laughed.
Rin: What do the others think?
Ace: Nuri thinks how you draw a tree, Kaya how you draw a wolf, Rho says mountain and Nigel... well, he said you drove something stupid just to mess with us, but the rest of us want to know because of the bet.
Rin: Too bad you'll never know.
Ace: Come on...
Rin: Do you really think I drew a code of conduct?
Ace: No, actually I think you drew something with the stars and the moon, something that represents peace to you... I don't know.
Rin: You're not far from the truth, yes, I drew something that represents peace to me.
Ace: Then? Will you show us?
Rin: I said no
He laughs and gets out of bed.
Ace: So you choose the hard way...
Rin: Good luck!
Kaya and Rho made medicine.
Nigel: Do you even know what you're doing?
Kaya: We're pretty sure we know, but don't worry, we will have Nuri to try first.
Nuri: Why me!?
Kaya: Because I'm still blackmailing you.
Nuri: I see how it is, you want to kill me.
Kaya: We won't kill you, you might just have mild side effects
Nuri: Like for example?
Kaya: Headache, insomnia, loss of appetite, arms, legs...
Nuri: I won’t drink that!
Rho: Don't worry, we know what we're doing, after all, the way it's going, we're all going to need it.
Nigel steered the ship. He was looking in front. Nuri trying medicine.
Nuri: Wait, why am I drinking all this if you are already able to heal?
He looks at Rho.
Rho: Because one day you might need it, and I wont be close.
Pause.
Rho: Beside I really like to experiment so if you feel some side effects I will need it for you to tell me exactly how you feel and I will heal you in case you don't feel well. And also after you answer all my questions....
She said cold, started to write.
Nuri: I am not even sure how to take that.
Rho: I see, not able to understand some simple things...
She was writing that on paper and read it at loud as she wrote it.
Nuri offended in a friend way.
Nuri: Hey!
Kaya Laughing. Rho looks at him, with no expression as always.
Nuri: Wait a minute.
Rho: Yes?
She answered coldly as always.
Nuri: If we have you that can heal us, then that means, we could sell all the medicine!
Rho: No, we give medicine to those in need.
She talked calm while still preparing a medicine.
Ace and Rin joins them.
Ace: What are you guys talking about?
Kaya: Oh nothing, just about Nuri wanting to sell the medicine me and Rho are making.
Ace: Well first you should test it before putting it on the market.
Rho: On it.
She talked cold as she watched Nuri react to pills.
Nuri: Stop looking at me like I am the object!
Rho: I see. Overemotional...
Nuri: I am not! I just don't feel like you appreciate me when you treat me like I am just an object....
Nuri thinks.
Nuri: Why did I say that... Oh my god... Am I becoming a woman?! You should write that down...
Ace hit him in the head but not that strongly.
Nuri: Ouch!
Rho: No, you just experienced something that mostly woman experience.
She talked like the robot.
Nuri: And I also feel a bit nauseous, write that down too.
Rho nods, and writes it. Rin was just listening.
Nigel: I think I see the Island
Nuri: Which island are we going to go now?
Kaya: You'll like this one.
It was Cibus Island, the island Nuri wanted to go to.
Nuri looks at the Island.
Nuri: Finally!
They were landing on the Island.
Rin: I will ask you all to stay out of trouble on this island.
Kaya: Ok mom!
Rin: I'm serious.
Kaya: Don't worry everything will be fine.
Rin: Every time you said that, not once was fine.
Kaya: It is at the end and that's what counts.
Kaya: Oh yes, I almost forgot.
Take out the c6 device.
Kaya: Me and Rho took them on Provecta Island, I guess with everything that was going on I forgot about this.
Rho: Oh yeah
Nuri: Wow, I've heard of them, but honestly I've never seen one.
Kaya: Now you have one, throw it at him.
Nuri: Nice!
Rho: It works in a way that you choose your side of the cube, i.e. a color, in a way that you hold for 10 seconds on that color, and that color is yours, and if you want to call someone, hold for 3 seconds on the color of the person you are calling. Choose your color first.
Nuri: I like yellow
Kaya: I'll take purple
Ace: Blue
Rin: White
Nigel: I don't care.
Rho: I will have red, so yours is black. Now hold the finger on that color for ten seconds.
Everyone holds for 10 seconds on a certain color and thus takes their color.
Rho: Try calling one of us now.
Nuri holds on the red color for 3 seconds and calls Rho, rho answers the call by clicking on his color, because his color lights up on the other device when he calls.
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Rho: Great, now we can communicate.
Nigel: As if we don't do it enough already.
Rho: In case of danger or emergency...
They stopped on an Island.
Rin: Maybe someone should stay on board, guard the ship?
Kaya and Ace look at each other.
Me! Both raised their hands.
Rin: Let me guess you're going to try to find a picture?
Kaya: We would never invade your privacy...
Ace: We respect your decision.
Rin: You're a bad liars.
Ace: Are you afraid that we will find it?
Rin: Not at all, in fact if you find it I will owe you a favor, and a favor without asking.
Kaya: Agreed.
The others got off the ship.
Ace and Kaya waited for them to leave, and set to work looking for the picture.
Ace: Let's start with his room
Kaya: Way ahead of you.
Four of them.
The island was in various colors, food and food smells were everywhere.
Nuri: This place is great!
Rho: Yes it really is, where do you want to go first?
Nuri: I would like to visit the academy of the greatest chefs.
Rin: I'll go with you. What about you two?
Rho: I'll explore the Island a bit, but I'll see you later
Nigel: I'll keep an eye on her.
Rho: I don't need a babysitter.
Nigel: After what you did last time, you do.
Rin: See you later then?
Rho nodded and the two left. Nigel stays with Rho. Rho starts walking, Nigel follows her.
Rho: Stop following me
Nigel: I don't want to.
Rho: Seriously, I don't need to be guarded, I won't do anything stupid.
Nigel: Of course you won't when I'm with you.
She stops walking, serious.
Rho: I'm serious
Nigel: Me too, I will not leave your side.
She rolled his eyes.
Rho: Fine, just don't annoy me
Nigel: I can't promise anything.
Nuri and Rin found the academy and went inside.
Nuri: Wow... this place is perfect...
Rin: I agree.
Q: Can I help you?
Rin: Is it possible for us to have a look around?
P: Of course, you can also enter the lectures, they are open to everyone, just be quiet and watch your behavior.
Nuri: I'm so excited. Let's go!
They entered one of the lectures. One student had difficulties and was annoyed.
Professor: What's going on here?
Student: I made a mistake, it's not perfect, now I can throw it away.
Professor: Let me taste
Professor: I see where you went wrong, but it's not irreparable.
Student: But it won't be the way I imagined.
Professor: Maybe not, but food should be made with love, with passion, and as long as there is hope for repair, it should not be thrown away. As one person once said "if you can fix yourself you can also..."
Nuri: Fix your food.
Everyone looked at Nuri.
Professor: Who said that?
Nuri raised her hand.
Nuri: I am. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to disturb you.
Professor: you are not disturbing at all. I see you are new, tell me, have you heard of that saying before?
Nuri: Our mother used to say it often when she was teaching me how to cook...
Professor: Who is your mother if I may ask?
Nuri: Isabella... Isabella Everston
The professor is surprised and then laughs.
Professor: It's been a long time since I heard that name...
Nuri: Did you knew her?
Professor: Yes, I did, she was my best student. Please stay for the rest of the lecture, I would be happy to talk with you afterwards.
Nuri nodded and smiled. Nuri sits down and listens to the rest of the lecture.
Kaya and Ace:
Kaya: Are you having any lucky?
Ace: No. I don't understand where he could hide the picture, it's driving me crazy that we can't find it!
Kaya: Me too, and usually I'm great at it.
Ace: We will keep looking, we must not give up.
Kaya: I agree.
Rho and Nigel.
They walk around the market.
Rho: There really is everything here, maybe we should take what we need for a ship.
Nigel: We can do that later.
Rho: What would you do then? Nigel thought.
Nigel: I don't know, maybe we can walk in the park?
Rho: Walk in the park? You know what, I just realized I don't know anything about you.
Nigel: What do you think about this, we can sit somewhere quieter, and you can ask me any question and I will answer but on the condition that you do the same.
Rho thought.
Nigel: Are you scared?
Rho: No... just...
Nigel: Everything will stay between us, I promise.
Rho: ok, but then let's go to the bar.
Nigel: I like the way you think
He smiled a bit and followed her
Nuri and Rin
The lecture ended and Professor, Rin and Nuri walked down the hall.
Rin: We appreciate you taking the time for us.
Professor: There is no need to thank you, I am very happy to have the opportunity to talk with you, your mother was an exceptional person.
Nuri: What was she like when she attended this academy?
Professor: She was always cheerful, positive, and ready to help others, not to mention her cooking skills, she was outstanding, even as a student she taught me some things about cooking.
Rin: Was she happy here?
Professor: She was, she really gave her whole self to this, and she never gave up. She had so much will, motivation, life... she really didn't deserve what happened to her...
Nuri: Yes... did she have many friends?
Professor: Everyone adored her, she left an impact on all of us here, not only the professors but also her colleagues. She was a very good person, unless you caused her problems, she was no joke.
Rin: Really?
Professor: Oh yes, I remember one time she caught a student trying to ruin someone else's dish to get a better grade, not only did she expose him, she gave him such a speech that he never did it again. She knew how to influence people, and no one was allowed to mess with her, once she even saved a person from robbers... she was extremely brave.
Rin: Really? I didn't know she had that in her.
Professor: She had fire in her, she was passionate about the things she loved, she loved humor terribly, but she also knew how to be serious when she needed to be.
Nuri: Do you perhaps know any of her friends who stayed here on this Island?
Professor: Actually, there is one person, she also works here, and I believe she will be happy to talk to you.
Nuri: Really?
Professor: Of course, I'll show you the way.
They followed him.
Rho and Nigel.
They were sitting at the bar
Nigel: Before we start, I'd like to make a deal. Don't ask me about Orobas, and I won't ask about Davon.
Rho: I agree.
Rho: First question, why do you despise the mountain?
Nigel: I see you're getting straight to the point
Rho: Looks like that. And?
Nigel: I had a younger sister who was only 10 years old when I lost her. That mountain is the reason why.
Rho: I'm sorry...
Nigel: Why did you enter the mountain?
Rho: I didn't plan to get into it... it happened... by accident.
Nigel: By accident?
Rho: I suggest we leave the conversation about the mountain.
Nigel: Honestly, I don't want to talk about it either.
Nigel: Tell me, have you always been like this?
Rho: What do you mean?
Nigel: Alone wolf, mysterious. Vengeful?
Rho: Vengeful, no, but I've always been withdrawn, and alone... Have you always been so dark, cold, distant?
Nigel: No.
Rho: Then who were you?
Nigel: Believe it or not, I was always laughing. Not only that, I was always surrounded by small children.
Rho: You're lying.
Nigel: Not at all.
Rho: I was definitely not surrounded by children, even when I was a child. And I don't like children either.
Nigel: You don't like children?
Rho: No.
Nigel: You are really evil.
Rho: I am not, the children are.
She drinks vine.
Rho: Why are you trying so hard to get to know me?
Nigel thinks before he speaks.
Nigel: Because you're the first person I can't understand. I know how you hide a lot... and it's hard for me to judge what kind of person you really are.
Rho: I don't want to talk about the same things as you.
Nigel: You're right, and I understand that, but again... I can never read you, I never know what you're thinking or what you might do next, and I'm always very good at reading people. And also, from a day one I could see a darkness in you, darkness that made you who you are now. You have full control over it, and you are not afraid of that... you embrace it, and I am curious to know how...
She remain calm, she listened, she didn't show any emotion yet she felt some strange feeling...
Rho: It's your turn to ask.
Nigel: Have you ever betrayed anyone?
Rho: Yes, but only because that person betrayed me. What's the worst thing you've ever done?
Nigel: Believed. Something tells me you understand.
She looks down a bit, still calm but hint of emotion.
Rho: I understand.
Nigel: Have you ever killed anyone?
She is surprised by the question, but answers.
Rho: I like to believe that I didn't, you?
Nigel leaned closer.
Nigel: If I told you I did, would you be scared?
Rho didn't answer right away.
Rho: No
Nigel. I did.
Rho: Why?
Nigel: because I lost control.
Rho: Are you sorry?
Nigel: Yes, it will never stop hunting me...
Rho: How many people have you killed?
Nigel: I think it's my turn to ask a question. Have you ever had a family?
She looks away again, but talking calm.
Rho: My parents died when I was very young, since then I have been alone, I had no brothers or sisters. Why did you stay with us even though you didn't enter the mountain and you are not bound by any rules?
Nigel: Because I don't know what would have happened if I had left. I didn't care if you would lose your powers, but you said you had a lot more to lose, so I stayed. I don't need another death on my hands.
She looked at him and stayed silent.
Kaya and Ace
Ace: I give up, I will go to train.
Kaya: Wait!
Ace: Did you find the picture?
Kaya: No, but I found something much better...
Ace walks up to her:
Ace: What?
Kaya: Nuri's diary.
Ace: As tempting as it is, I think we should respect his privacy...
Kaya: You're right...
Kaya: Maybe just to open a few pages of the diary.
She laughed and opened it.
Ace: Maybe we shouldn't...
Kaya: It says how he played with your katanas.
Ace: What? I'm going to kill that kid.... feel free to keep reading.
Kaya: Listen to this. Dear diary, while everyone was sleeping, I woke up and went to get a glass of water, on the way I saw the katanas from Ace, and I thought, why not, no one needs to know. While I was testing it, I accidentally broke the bottle of alcohol, which belonged to Nigel, and which he warned me not to touch because he was waiting for a certain moment to open it. It was strange to me that the bottle was still there and that Ace didn’t already drink it, because she has serious problems with alcohol, she could use an intervention. But that was the least of my problems now, all I could think about at that moment was how Nigel was going to kill me. So I left the katanas, and tried to copy the appearance of the bottle with another, and mixed the rest of the alcohol with other drinks, spices, maybe better not to list everything I put in. Anyway he still hasn't notice and I hope it never gets opened because I'm sure it tastes disgusting...
Ace: Why don't I know about that bottle?
Kaya: Because we added the label "non-alcoholic" to it.
Ace: Fair.
Kaya continued reading and laughed.
Ace: What else did he do?
Kaya: Actually, this is cute. Listen.
Kaya: Dear diary, I have to tell you that I have always been excited to meet the people that the mountain warned me about, I didn't know what they would be like, but from the first day I feel like I already know them all. Although we all have our demons and flaws, they are all actually good people. Kaya is always smiling, positive and always there, she is a real and true friend. Rho, on the other hand, is a bit harder to read, but she is responsible and cares for us, Nigel is a bit of a scary guy, but deep inside, very deep, there is a person who actually has feelings but doesn't know how to show them, and Ace... so I definitely don't want to mess with her, because she's a psychopath when it comes to fighting.
Ace: So first I'm an alcoholic and then I'm a psychopath, even Nigel got a compliment.
Kaya laughs.
Kaya: Wait, there's more. Listen. Kaya continue reading
Kaya: Although she can be scary, she is a fighter, she is strong, loyal, and I know she would never let anything bad happen to any of us. Plus, she is a very good friend to my brother, which makes me very happy because Rin never had friends because he always took care of me. He seems much happier and more relaxed now, and I need to thank her for that, for that I am very grateful to her
Ace: That's actually really sweet...well...I guess I can forgive him for what he said before. Wait, does it say anything else?
Kaya: No....
Ace: Let me see! She took the diary and read it.
Ace: PS. Rin lectures her all the time, more than he lectures me, and it will probably stay that way, because that girl has some problems, and for that I am most grateful.
Ace looks annoyed
Ace: I'll kill him.
Nuri and Rin.
They were sitting with their mother's friend.
Friend: I can't believe I'm seeing you again, you've grown so much.
Rin: Again?
Friend: You probably don't remember me, you were very young... once I managed to visit your mom, and I think you were 3 years old then... she turns to Nuri
Friend: I remember you as a very energetic child, you were never calm. And she looks at Rin, you were always so quiet that I would forget that there was another child there.
Nuri: That sounds... true.
Friend: You know, not a day goes by that she doesn't cross my mind, I miss her so much... I can just imagine of how much you two miss her.
Nuri: A lot...
Friend: What about your father? Did he come too?
Rin: Our father left us when we were 4 years old, we haven't seen him since.
Nuri: Yes, to be honest, it's hard for me to remember what he looks like because mom destroyed all the pictures.
Friend: I'm so sorry to hear that... I honestly would never said that Alexander was capable of that...
Nuri: Did you know him?
Friend: Yes, the two of them were inseparable, and we all got along. I can't even imagine what went wrong...
Rin: Do you know where he is today?
Friend: No... I'm sorry.
Nuri: That's fine.
Friend: You two have really grown into beautiful young men, believe me, your mother would be proud.
She wipes away her tears.
Friend: I'm sorry, I got a little emotional.
Nuri: We understand...
Friend: Oh look at that time... unfortunately I have to leave you, I have a lecture.
Nuri: You teach here?
Friend: Yes, have any of you followed in your mom's footsteps when it comes to food?
Nuri: Well, I am... I can't say I'm anywhere near as good as her... but I really enjoy it.
Friend: Then you should definitely join us, trust me you will learn everything you are interested in here.
Nuri: Really? I won't be a problem for you.
Friend: Not at all, I would be glad if I could help you follow your dreams. I can also show you the place where she always sat in the hall. There are still some of her sketches carved into the benches.
Nuri: I would like that. What do you say Rin?
Rin: I think I'll go back to the ship, but you can stay, I'll see you later.
...
Nuri went to the hall
Friend: Are you sure you don't want to come with us?
Rin: That's more Nuri's business than mine... I'd just be slacking off.
Friend: Well, I'm glad I had a chance to see you.
Friend: Oh yes, I almost forgot.
She took out a picture of their mother and their father.
Friend: This is the only picture I have left of the two of them, and I want you to have it...
Rin takes the picture: Are you sure?
Friend: Absolutely
Rin leaves the academy - flashback - the day of their mother's funeral 9 years ago
Rin and Nuri were 13 when their mother died, there was a funeral. Rin saw a man in the distance, and followed him after the funeral. He followed him through the forest, it was Alexander.
Rin: Stop!
Alexander looked at him, recognizing his child.
Alexander: You have really grown up, both you and Nuri.
Rin: Are you...
Alexander looked at the floor.
Rin: Our father?
His father approached him.
Father: I was your father, from the moment I left I stopped being that.
Rin cries: But why?
Alexander: You wouldn't understand even if I told you.
Rin wiped his tears and became more serious but still hurt.
Rin: Listen, I can live without you, I've come to terms with that a long time ago, but Nuri needs you.
Alexander: Nuri has you now, and you have to promise me you'll take care of him.
Rin: So you'll just leave, again?
Alexander: I don't want to leave, but I have to. I know you don't believe me, but you have to know that leaving your mother and you two was the hardest thing I've ever had to do.
Rin: Then why are you leaving again?
Alexander: Maybe one day we will meet again, when the world is not so messed up, and maybe one day you will be able to understand, but today is not that day.
Rin: What's so important that you left the woman you love and your sons!? What!!!? There is nothing more important than family!
Alexander: You're right, there is not, that's why you have to do everything you can to protect family.
Alexander took out a white blindfold and tied it over Rin's eyes.
Alexander: I don't want you to watch me leave again. Just promise me one thing. Promise me how you'll make sure you and Nuri are safe, and strong enough to survive this world.
Rin cries and doesn't say anything, just nods her head. Alexander kept his hand on his shoulder and then he got up and left. Rin was left alone. He never told Nuri about it.
Present
Rin looked at a white blindfold he had tied around his arm.
Nuri was in the same classroom as his mother, he was looking at her name that she carved into the desk. He was laughing.
