lunacu

Heh, so you've finally stopped mincing words like a city person. I don't know how useful that is in the city but here in the wild, it's best to just get to the point.

But forget about those tuskbeasts. I'd rather not start a feud with them if we don't need to.

You were a big help just now, but you were still pretty wimpy. I'd say the only—

Yeowch! That's hot!

(Chewing) The only thing I can't complain about is your cooking.

(Muttering) And after I played such a big part...

What did you say?

I said I played a big part earlier!

Hmph. I guess so, otherwise all you'd be getting are the claws.

And how's that fair? Even if I didn't go and help, I'd still be the one cooking it for you!

Well, who asked you to starve me every day?! Even if we're in a rush, a handful of rations is way too little!

The only reason we even <i>have</i> a handful of rations left is because of my planning!

So you've finally learned to speak your mind?

Huh? I... I guess I have.

Good! I'm not a mind reader. I'll only know what you're thinking if you tell me.

If you keep hiding things away instead, I'm going to forget all the good things you've done.

Then I'd like you to be honest with me. How much do you think I've helped out during our trip?

Um...

Lunacub does not answer, using a small knife to carve up a sandbeast haunch instead. The meat sizzles atop the grill for a while before a piece is given to Measuring Cup.

What should we do once we finish eating? Do we need to move camp so that pack won't come back for us?

Wow, you only just learned to speak up and you've already learned to cover your tracks too? Very good.

Never mind what I learned, I actually feel like I'm... happier?

Happy? That's good too, right? If your stomach's full then it's normal to be happy. Maybe you'll be qualified to be part of my pack when we reach Nuova Volsinii.

'Reach Nuova Volsinii'?

*sobs*...

Now what?

The concert... My concert...

Slow down! If you keep going this fast, you'll get tired before noon—

Look, Lunacub! Isn't that a car stopped by the side of the road?

Hey, you two! What do you think you're doing, sneaking around my car like that—

Gah—

...Isn't this the driver that took your 'payment' but still left us by the roadside? Is this that 'hitchhiking' thing you were talking about?

(Shrugs) I suppose so.

Mister Driver, we're not going to ask for our money back. We'll be satisfied if you just take us to Nuova Volsinii, okay?

I'd love to, but this lousy car of mine's broken down, and I can't repair it alone.

You're not alone. There are three of us.

Well...

If you still can't, then give those pieces of paper back to Measuring Cup. We can walk.

Pieces of paper?

She means the fare we paid.

...Sure, why not? If you two can help me fix my car, I'll grit my teeth and take you to Nuova Volsinii.

Well, it should be fixed now.

Ah, no, no can do, my car here's got some quirks, see. You need to wait a while after opening up the hood, or it won't start up—

Sounds like it's working alright to me.

Oh, er, yeah. Looks like that went away all of a sudden.

We'd best get moving then. An hour saved is an hour saved! And the concert's tonight!

Hold on, isn't Nuova Volsinii supposed to be that way?

It's a shortcut. Aren't you in a hurry? I'm taking us the fastest way I know.

Tch...

Measuring Cup, what's that sound?

A communicator. Maybe there's someone nearby who's using one too, and their signal is interfering with this one.

That's right! I'll speed up a bit, and we'll be there before you know it!

No. This isn't the way to Nuova Volsinii. Stop.

We're almost there! You don't know what you're talking about, girl! Buddy, can't you keep that kid under control?

Buddy?

You're right. With the weather being this hot, we should get under some shade.

Ah, thanks. This umbrella of yours is real unique. Is it... made out of clothes?

Yeah, that girl over there made it. I've learned a lot of things from her. She even wants to be my pack leader, and honestly, I've been seriously considering the offer.

I... I see.

Any particular piece of the sandbeast you want?

Nah, I'm good, I'm not really hungry—Hey, why're you covering my eyes?! The hell do you think you're pressing—

You got guts, Sante. Decided not to answer your comms?

We ain't waiting no more. Whatever, we're nearly there. We'll help you fix your ride when we get there.

When the car's fixed, you bring us to where you fobbed off those two stronzi who made a ruckus in the city. They can't have gotten far.

Once we let off some steam with a few jabs of the knife, whatever they got on them is yours. We'll bump you joining the famiglia up the schedule, and soon you'll have your own driver you can boss around...

Still thinking of a 'peaceful resolution'?

(Shrugs) Let's give him one last chance, just in case he's stuck in a sticky situation.

Mister Sante, give us back our fare and get out of the car.

(Clenching teeth) As if! Wait until the boys get here—

Sorry, but if you win, we lose. No peaceful resolution this time either.

Measuring Cup kicks the driver—dazed from a cooking pot to the head—out of the car and straps himself into the driver's seat. The car burns a semicircle into the road and disappears in a cloud of dust.

See? It's like I said. In the wilds, if you don't fight for what's yours, nobody is just going to give it to you.

So do you want to join my pack? I'm serious.

I'll think about it. But for now...

Nuova Volsinii, here I come!

Em! Pe! Ror! Em! Pe! Ror! Em! Pe! Ror!

I love you, Lunacub! We actually made it on time! You've been my lucky star this entire trip!

Ah... Right.

You came all this way... just to see that guy?

Which guy? Who are you talking about?

Who else? The one on stage.

That's right! Have you never heard of Emperor? I've been a fan ever since I was in school! I even have all his vinyls! He—You know what, I'll tell you all about him after the concert!

Em! Pe! Ror! Em! Pe! Ror! Em! Pe! Ror!

Agnese, did Measuring Cup nearly get himself killed just to see this guy shouting on stage?

Couldn't you just have called him over before we left? Wouldn't Measuring Cup have been satisfied with him shouting at him then?

...You'll consider your goal achieved once I can understand why he did what he did?

Alright... Well, I don't get it at all yet. It's too noisy.

Emperor raps along to the rhythm on the stage, his fanatical fans shouting, shrieking, and swaying below.

Lunacub looks at Agnese in confusion as she stands by her side, then back to Agnese's kin upon the stage. She pushes her way through the crowd with a bewildered expression, and makes her way out of the theater.