Script: Kaz Torments Valencia

'''This is a script from a prewritten scene. There may be some inconsistencies with the podcast. Scripts are not consistently stylized, and are taken directly from our documents. Mileage may vary.'''

(Ren) Flashback to a few days before the Ouranios meeting. Sheets of rain pound against the bulletproof windshield of a luxury car. Dense clouds shroud the moon and stars, leaving only the lights of the city. Valencia watches their reflections twist across rippling water, and an uncharacteristic unease washes over her.

(WEI) “I think we have a tail. Hard to tell in these conditions.” The engine groans as the driver accelerates.

(REN) The torrent goes silent. They've passed some unseen barrier as if they've entered the eye of a storm. Valencia looks out into the darkness. She’s always had good night vision, but her eyes can’t seem to focus. The shadows blur into each other, leaving amorphous forms instead of silhouettes. She closes her eyes and takes in the situation. Her driver sees a tail. He hasn't noticed the silent engine. They’re going 260 miles an hour and accelerating. They aren't gaining ground.

(WEI) “I can outspeed them."

(REN) “You can’t.” She steels herself. This had to happen eventually, but she didn't expect it to go like this. “Stop.”

(WEI) The driver barely has a chance to slow down before a motorcycle speeds ahead of them, veering in front of the car. It slides back across the pavement, tilted at enough of an angle it should fall over, or be mauling its driver against harsh asphalt. The car swerves uncontrollably back and forth, brakes screeching. The driver desperately twists the wheel, careening to the side, barely avoiding a collision.

(WEI) “JESUS CHRIST! WHAT FUCKING NUTCASE–”

(stage direction: start talking as soon as I start saying "nutcase". this compensates for Discord lag and makes for an easier cut.)

(REN) “You didn’t hydroplane. Good job. Now let me handle this.” Her voice is sure, but her hand trembles as she opens the door and gets out.

Shadow weeps from the headless neck of the figure before her. The motorcycle fades into nothing beneath them. Their feet land on the pavement, but no water moves in their wake as they advance on her. The figure holds a scarred head by its hair, gently swinging it back and forth.

“Valencia! How on earth have you been. Busy, right? After the whole Li betraying you thing.” Something is wrong. Calculations unfold in her mind. A forest of decision trees spreads before her, but she can't follow their trails. She's missing something.

“Kaz.” She isn’t even sure it’s the right name. “I’m alright. I’ve missed you.”

“Tch tch tch. Always the liar. You and Li were meant for eachother. You’re not doing well at all, V.”

“What… happened to you? This isn’t you, Kaz.” The disembodied head smiles.

“Great observation! You can’t understand everything. Weird, huh?”

“Kaz–”

“Shut up. I don’t care. You saw what happened to the little birdie, right?”

“I saw. I wasn't sure if it was you.”

“Great! I thought a warm-up act would add to the impact. Now-- stay the fuck away from Agave. Be grateful I’m not running you out of this city, because I could.”

“I find that hard to believe.” Shadows advance on her, twisting around her legs, and she wishes she’d brought La Noche Gorda. Her usually controlled heart is suddenly pounding in her chest.

The figure pulls out a gun. Before Valencia can react, before she can do anything at all--

(WEI) BANG!!! (long pause )is the word written in bright yellow text on the flag sticking out of the novelty gun.

“Just kidding. Death's a waste for a wolf like you-- you'd make a better dog. You're gonna keep the family away from Agave, so I'm keeping you around for now. Say thank you."

"Thank... you." Her breath heaves in her chest. What the hell is this thing?

"Good dog! And don't go telling Teesh about any of this, 'kay?"

The figure twists their hand. They rise into the air, uplifted by shadows wrapping around their body. Seamlessly, the motorcycle forms beneath them. Cloaked in shadow, it's hard to tell where the rider stops and the mount begins.

"See you around, V."

They rev their silent engine, and the bike curls away in an arc as they speed away.

Their wake precipitates a massive wall of water,. It crashes into her, the force slamming her into harsh asphalt. The moment the motorcycle is out of sight, rain rushes down in a torrent, pelting her with ice cold pinpricks. Her hair, usually pristine, falls limply across her face.

Valencia pushes herself off the ground, and returns to the car.

"Say nothing of this."

On the way home, she shivers uncontrollably in her ruined, dry-clean only pantsuit.