More Jadrus Script

For context, Gehnn has been sent out by her employer to collect a certain type of leaf. 

Rex is my favorite character to write/draw. I think it shows. 

(She walks out into the wilderness - show off the plantlife and greenery, with a tiny river flowing down a small channel. She stops to look at the pearly insects flying around it, and smiles.)

(she continues walking, looking around as she does so. She comes to a rugged set of rocky columns and such, riddled with small and large caves. She carefully makes her way over to a patch of spidery-looking bushes with thick leaves and red stems (sort of like poison oak). She sets down her basket, kneels down, and starts to cut.)

(she hears a noise behind her. She turns around, sees nothing there. She turns back to her clipping. She suddenly notices a glint through the bushes. Curious, she puts down her clippers and basket, and makes her way through the thicket.)

(she discovers the figure of a man, lying on the ground, wearing strange clothes and a mask that makes him look like an insect. He is bleeding from his leg, and he clutches a strange staff-like tool across his chest (hence the glint). She stares at him. The man suddenly turns his head towards her. Gehnn backs away, frightened. He sits up, reaching out a hand. She backs out of the bushes, and flees. She hears rustling behind her, and picks up her speed. She looks behind her, leaps over some brush, and then stumbles into a pack of sleeping skin-hounds. They wake up, and attempt to pounce her. She tries to run away, but is cornered.)

Gehnn: (thinking) Damn it! Damn it, damn it!

(The skin hound pounces, but suddenly flies away. The pack turns to see the man, leaning on his staff. They all go for him - Gehnn looks terrified. The man makes a strange gesture - the hounds are all swept up in some invisible tornado, and thrown everywhere. They all take off, wimpering.)

(Gehnn stares at him. The man stumbles forward, and falls to his knees. Gehnn rushes over to him. They look at each other, and then the man reaches out and touches Gehnn's forehead.)

(She suddenly has the image of kneeling in an empty space, her surroundings melting away. A soft whispering speaks in her ear. Gehnn looks confused, and then speaks, slowly.)

Gehnn: R....Rex? You are.....Rex?

Rex: Heh....Heh heh....

(She sees the eyes behind the mask's lenses - they are half-shut, exhausted. She stares at him, and then, slowly, reaches out to touch his face. He collapses.)

(Gehnn stares at him for a few more seconds. Then, she reaches down, and pulls him up, draping him over her back. She is surprisingly strong for her size. As an afterthought, she reaches down and picks up his staff, and with that, she takes off with him towards the city.)

(She comes to the gate, banging on it. It opens, and the guard comes out, looking concerned.)

Guard: What -

(she rushes past. The guard looks astounded. His partner comes out, staring after Gehnn.)

 (A few minutes later - The man is lying on a table, in Yul and Gehnn's room. They stare at him. Yul reaches out to touch his mask, looking wary.)

Yul: You found him? Outisde?

Gehnn: H-he.....was in the...bush.

Yul: A Rem. Outside of Asorame.

Never thought I'd see it.

Gehnn: His name is Rex.

Yul: What?

Gehnn: That's....that's what he...um....gave me. His name is Rex.

Yul: Gave you? What do you mean?

Gehnn: I don't...I don't know. H-he just....he t-touched my...head....and it was...in my brain. Just that. Rex.

(Yul backs away from the man)

Yul: We need to call the Captain.

Gehnn: What? No!

Yul: It's dangerous, Gehnn! I'm not gonna be in the same room as a mind-controlling Rem.

Gehnn: He's hurt! A-and sick! He just n-needs help!

Yul: What if this is all a ruse, Gehnn? What if, the minute he wakes up, he starts getting in our heads? Getting a hold of our thoughts, twisting them around?

Gehnn: He....he wouldn't.

Yul: Why? Did he give you that, too?

Gehnn: No, he....he saved my life. He.....h-he made a pack of skin hounds run away! I was g-gonna get ea....eaten!

Yul: What? How?

Gehnn: Um.....

Yul: I knew it. I knew it I knew it I knew GEHNN! This is bad! We're already under the wire as it is! What are we gonna do with a Rem?! A live Rem? What if he makes the city explode? What if he makes us kill people? Oh god oh god...

Gehnn: Y-you got....that out of stories....Yul.

Yul: He cowed a pack of skin hounds! How's THAT for a story?

Gehnn: Yul!

(Yul looks at her)

Gehnn: Please. He's....he's sick. And hurt. H-he needs help. And he's....alone.

I mean....we kn-know how that...well, y-you remember.

 (Yul looks at her. And then looks at the man. She closes her eyes, in a tight-like fashion, rubbing her nose, and then goes over to the man, looking down at his insect-like mask.)

Yul: If he burns the house down, Gehnn -

Gehnn: You always hated this place, anyway.

Yul: Dern straight.

All right...lessee....

(Hesitantly, she touches his face. He makes no move.)

Yul: D'you think.....there's, like...a face, under this?

Like, a human face?

Gehnn: (touches goggles) He has....e-eyes, I guess. Human-sized ones.

Yul: Well, that's....good. I guess.

(She closes her eyes, takes a deep breath. They both lean in, wearing intense expressions.)

Yul: I'm betting....he's not getting enough air. Through that mask.

Gehnn: Y-y'think s-so?

Yul: I just bet.

Gehnn: So we....sh-should maybe...maybe take it off, then?

Yul: I....I guess that would be the best thing to do.

(She hesitates, looks at Gehnn. Brow set, she then places both hands on the sides of the mask. She feels around trying to find a buckle.)

Yul: (annoyed) Is this thing melted to his face?

(She finds a slide on either side of his neck, under his collar)

Yul: Hm?

(She slides the switches. The mask suddenly hisses, causing them both to jump back. They stare, frightened, before realizing the mask has come loose. Cautiously, Gehnn approaches, and removes the mask.)

(She stares. Yul comes up and stares as well. There is a lot of staring in this chapter.)

Yul: Huh.

Gehnn: Huh.

(Viewing the man's face - it is quite human.)

Yul: (after a pause) How'd he get his sidies like that?

Gehnn: P-probably....magic?

Yul: Hm.

He's breathing now, anyways. And his leg is bleeding. I guess.

And his clothes are....filthy.

Gehnn: Are.....are you...s-saying...?

Yul: (bright red) This is what you do with hurt people! You gotta get 'em clean!

Gehnn: But-

Yul: Just go to Min and borrow some clothes.

(She turns back to the Rem. Sighs and rolls up her sleeves. In a manner of speaking.)

Yul: Let's get this over with.

Chapter 2: The Stranger

(Flashback – blue ink? Boy’s hands in water. Cuts his palm on a rock. His hands are enveloped by his mother’s. He looks up into a sweet smile and deep teal-black eyes. The face suddenly transforms into that of a little girl, who holds up a pendant, grinning. She places it around his neck. He looks down at the pendant, looks up again. The girl is replaced with a skin hound, who snarls. He opens his eyes, staring at the ceiling.)

(He looks over, seeing the open window. His brow furrows, and he sits up, looking out the window. A bird flies past. He jumps, frightened, banging his leg against the bed. Or wall. He winces. Curious, he pulls up his pant leg and sees that his calf is bandaged. He is very confused. He swings his legs over the bed, and tries standing up, wobbling a little. Successful, he smiles. He looks around the room, taking in everything. There is a black and white photo pinned to the wall (Yul and her family), a dresser, two messy pallets on the floor, a table, and a stove in a little niche. He is instantly drawn to the stove, feeling the heat with his hand. He looks up at the pipe, seeing it go through the ceiling. He looks through the grate, seeing the coals within.)

Rex: Hm.

(the door opens, Yul comes in. She turns to lock the door, and turns to the see Rex standing there. He stares at her, and then smiles awkwardly.)

Rex: Ah…..viat ae-

(Yul’s eyes get bigger)

Rex: Eh heh…..niat viat ae viridam (looking uncomfortable)

Aaahhh…..

(Gehnn comes in, her blacksmith apron over one arm. She sees Rex, and is startled.)

Gehnn: He’s awake!

Yul: (very distressed) Yeah! Yeah, he’s awake!

(Rex smiles broadly, seeing Gehnn. He points to her.)

Rex:  Duam turraem!

Gehnn:……what?

Yul: I think he’s talking to you.

Gehnn: I-I……what?

Rex: Ah…..

(he thinks for a minute, and then points at himself, and points to the window)

Gehnn: Um…..(pointing at herself questioningly)

Rex:  (nods)

Gehnn: A-are you….um….asking me....if I was just outside?

(Rex looks elated for a minute, and then performs a weary facepalm)

Gehnn: I d-don’t think we’re…… getting anywhere.

Yul: Does he look like he’s going to blow up the house?

(in the background, Rex notices his clothes folded by the stove. He rifles through them, pulling out a small book.)

Gehnn: Yul, d-does he…..look like….he is?

Yul: I don’t know what a Rem looks like when he’s about to blow something up.

Gehnn: A-and I do?

Yul: You’re the one who read his mind or whatever! Why wouldn’t you?

(There’s a growling sound. They all look at Rex. It’s his stomach. He looks suitably embarrassed.)