Episode 3

"You can call me Royal."

[Royal]: Just a girl. You?

[Tiaguh]: Just a guy... what else?

The two walk back to Tiaguh's small shelter.

Tiaguh takes out some more pancake mix while Royal casually lies down on Tia's bed.

[Tiaguh]: I didn't say make yourself at home.

[Royal]: That's too baaaaad.

Tiaguh puts two plates of pancakes down, then pours a fair amount of maple syrup.

Royal feeds Tiaguh a pancake, although he tries to decline.

[Tiaguh]: Don't do that.

[Royal]: Sumuchi-

Tiaguh holds up his fork like a spear.

[Tiaguh]: No.

[Royal]: Pfff... fine.

[Tiaguh]: Yeah.. please don't.

[Royal]: Sooo... got any friends? Family? *Spouse*?

[Tiaguh]: Personal matter.

[Royal]: Come on, pleeeeaase?

[Tiaguh]: Well... alright. Let's start froooom...

Tia lowers his voice.

[Tiaguh]: My father.

### **10 YEARS AGO - 8 YEARS BEFORE XERTZ'S DEATH**

[Tiaguh]: I... didn't find base hawk.

[???]: YOU DIDN'T FIND IT, AGAIN?

[???]: HOW MANY TIMES DO YOU HAVE TO GO BACK THERE?

[Tiaguh]: Father, please-

[Tiaguh's Father]: COME HERE-

Tiaguh's father ferociously slaps Tiaguh.

[Tiaguh's Father]: COME HERE

[Tiaguh]: No, father, please stop-

[Tiaguh's Father]: OH THIS TIME YOU'RE GONNA GET IT

Little Tiaguh runs away and out the house.

He knows he won't go back.

He knows he will never come back.

### **PRESENT DAY**

[Royal]: Are you okay now, Onii-

[Tiaguh]: Please shut up.

Royal makes a face that reads xC.

[Royal]: Okay..

[Royal]: So how's this Father Buddha guy?

[Tiaguh]: Don't know. I've never seen him since.

Royal leans on Tiaguh, however it's harder to reject.

[Tiaguh]: Don't feel bad for me. I've seen worse.

[Royal]: Sumuchi-

This time, Tiaguh holds up a sharpened M9 Bayonet instead of a plain fork.

[Tiaguh]: I'm serious this time.

Royal tilts her head to the left.

[Royal]: You wouldn't stab me would you?

Tiaguh's cheeks flash a brilliant salmon pink.

[Tiaguh]: Listen, Royal... I don't wanna deal with you now.

[Royal]: Why are you in that mood?

[Tiaguh]: Cause.. you're giving me too much attention.

[Royal]: There's something wrooooong?

[Tiaguh]: Course there is. Not entirely your fault though.

[Royal]: If you need help, Onii-chan... I'm there.

[Tia]: Please stop.

A few hours later

[Royal]: Why are we just sitting?

[Tia]: There's nothing to do.

[Royal]: We should go somewhere.

[Tia]: No.

[Royal]: I said, you're going somewhere.

[Tia]: No, you said-

[Royal]: You're coming with me.

[Tia]: n-NO!

[Royal]: You're going to brazil.

Hiro and Royal walk out back to the clearing from before.

There are dead zombies everywhere.

[Royal]: Nice clearing, to be honest-

A shot rings out.

Royal looks around her, and Tiaguh grabs his gold revolver.

[Royal]: What was that?!

[Tia]: I don't know! Stay aware!

Tiaguh gets knocked in the head, and falls over.

He feels a cold boot against the side of his face, while he hears voices around him.

"Oop."

"The point is to not hurt them!"

"Joemamalol."

"a."

"This is not the time!"

"a."

"Guys, who's this woman?"

"OH GOD, SHE JUST JUMPED AT ME!"

"Sumuchi~"

BANG

"SHE TRIED TO BITE ME~"

"DID YOU SERIOUSLY JUST SHOOT HER?"

"I PANICKED!"

"a."

"Joemamalol."

"We need to get this guy out, now!"

"The shots have attracted attention. LET'S MOVE!"

Tiaguh gets picked up by a mysterious figure, and blacks out.