23 EXT. GANG HIDEOUT - DAY
A derelict two-storey warehouse in the middle of town has been renovated somewhat. Its true face is readily apparent, but it lacks the desiccated feeling that one would expect to see from such a building. Parts of walls, doors, and even entire windows have been replaced in a patchwork job of simply cobbling together whatever can be found to replace the broken parts. There is a patch of tilled soil outside, but it has nothing to show for itself besides a handful of tiny sprouts. A utility pipe is connected to the side of the building, but it drips constantly into a muddy hole below where the tarmac has broken. Joseph and Aether step up to the front door.
JOSEPH
Home at last.
AETHER
You must be joking.
JOSEPH
It looks worse from the outside.
Joseph tugs on the rusty door with some force, causing it to rattle open.
24 INT. GANG HIDEOUT - ENTRANCE - DAY
The entrance is somewhat dingy, with a single broken bulb that isn''t lighting up the landing any time soon. The walls here are made from shelves with as many bricks rammed into them as possible, creating a kind of vestibule that certainly wasn''t there when this was first built.
JOSEPH
I''m home!
Aether peeks over his shoulder.
AETHER
It looked better.
She isn''t wrong. There is a doormat and a shoe rack, but the scraps and shards of rust and glass in the corners of the room make it hard to believe that wearing anything short of work boots in here is the prerogative of the deranged. The walls are bare brick with patches of plaster here and there, and the floor is barren concrete.
JOSEPH
Alright, it looks bad.
AETHER
Why is it so cold?
JOSEPH
Well, brick, steel, and rebar aren''t the most kind and welcoming of the construction materials.
AETHER
It bothers me that I can''t not judge you for this.
Joseph keeps walking, carefully avoiding the debris with his bare feet.
JOSEPH
Watch your step.
Aether follows suit, and Joseph leads the way out of the makeshift vestibule through a clearly improvised door.
25 INT. GANG HIDEOUT - DAY
Joseph steps through the door. A LIME immediately sails through the air and splatters against his face.
PETER
It''s a hit!
Uproarious applause and laughter erupt from the men in the spacious room. It is much cleaner and more liveable, a genuine communal space. Couches and chairs are scattered with reasonably pleasant furniture, including coffee tables and bookshelves. Pilate is lying across a sofa with his feet on the arm, reading a book through his scratched glasses. There are even appliances like electric kettles and a hob here and there. At the far end of the room is a table covered in art supplies and tools ranging from wood saws to glue guns, which Maria is working on.
PILATE
(sarcastically)
Welcome back to high school.
JOSEPH
It''s like I never left.
Joseph wipes the surviving fruit guts off his face. Maria doesn''t turn her gaze toward the entrance, but chips in to chide Peter anyway.
Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.
MARIA
Don''t think you can get away with whatever you want just because I''m not looking.
PETER
(nonchalantly)
Sorry, boss.
MARIA
Are you?
PETER
(suddenly serious)
Yes, boss.
Joseph walks further into the room, letting Aether follow on behind. The room falls quiet.
PETER
Whoa. The runt kidnapped someone.
JOSEPH
I didn''t.
AETHER
You sort of did.
JOSEPH
I didn''t!
PILATE
I didn''t think you had it in you.
JOSEPH
I don''t!
THIEF #1
I did. Makes more sense than anything else I can think of.
JOSEPH
Screw off, man.
THIEF #1
(snorting)
"Screw off".
Maria turns to get a good look at the stranger in the white hood. Aether shoots a glare back.
AETHER
What?
MARIA
Did you two meet in the vents?
AETHER
Yes. Why?
MARIA
No reason.
PETER
Think fast!
Peter slings a second LIME at Aether, hoping to baptise her. She looks at it as it flies, and the patterns on her skin shine for a split second. The LIME bounces off some kind of invisible barrier and strikes Joseph in the face.
JOSEPH
Why?!
AETHER
It felt like the right thing to do.
The thieves collectively aren''t sure they just saw what they think they just saw, and end up laughing it off. Maria and Pilate don''t miss a beat, shooting glances at each other - they know there''s only one thing she can be.
PETER
I like you already, little lady! Name''s Peter.
Aether puffs up her chest, extraordinarily proud of the warm reception.
AETHER
(smugly)
You peons may graciously refer to me as Aether the Fifth. I intend to stay here for the few days, since it seems serviceable enough.
JOSEPH
Peons? Wait, staying?!
AETHER
Do as you see fit to make me comfortable.
PETER
You''ll want to know that the big name around here is Maria. She''s in charge.
MARIA
More or less. If you have something to raise, talk to Pilate, our operations manager.
PILATE
That would be me. Pleased to make your acquaintance.
AETHER
Out of curiosity, what role does this one play?
PETER
Joseph is emergency rations.
AETHER
How unfortunate. You must be starving.
MARIA
If Peter doesn''t stop throwing shit.
Peter slowly lowers a third lime he had been poised to toss, and Pilate begins to pull Aether and Joseph to one side.
PETER
C''mon, boss, they''re barely food...
MARIA
Do anything to that lime besides eat it, and I''ll be doing the same to you.
Peter gives the lime a suspect look, as if some devious engine is whirring in his head.
PETER
Interesting.
MARIA
No.
During their continuing banter, Pilate speaks to the pair in slightly hushed tones.
PILATE
I trust the journey back wasn''t too arduous, you two?
JOSEPH
Uh... Well, I wouldn''t do it again?
AETHER
To be entirely truthful, I don''t suppose I would have gotten out of those tunnels if it weren''t for him, so he''s good for at least something. I was quite lost when I found him.
PILATE
And what on earth would you be doing down there to begin with, Miss Aether?
AETHER
I planned to see the world somewhat before The End. My... guardians disagreed.
JOSEPH
You said that woman''s name was Sophia? Who was she?
AETHER
Defender of the Fifth Grand Shrine, master of the Warpriests.
JOSEPH
I don''t like that word. Are those the guys who shot at us?
PILATE
Please tell me you didn''t go head-to-head with a parish of Warpriests. How did you even survive that?
JOSEPH
Why would Warpriests be after someone? Shouldn''t they be protecting the Tower?
AETHER
I assume by "the Tower" you mean the Fifth Grand Shrine.
PILATE
They should be protecting it around now, unless something has gone direly wrong.
Aether looks away.
JOSEPH
Oh god. What did you do?
Pilate pinches the bridge of his nose.
PILATE
Okay. I''m going to consult with Maria. But don''t be surprised if she decides to turn you over. We may need to head to the safehouse.
He turns to go without waiting for an answer. Aether looks to Joseph, anxiety evident on her face.
JOSEPH
Relax. I already know what she''s going to say.
AETHER
You''re certain?
JOSEPH
I haven''t been by her side for eight years to be wrong now. You can get comfortable like you said.
Her fear melts somewhat, and she folds her arms firmly.
AETHER
I said you can make me comfortable.
JOSEPH
I can probably offer you some bread for these trying limes.
She squints, utterly unamused, and it''s clear for a split second just how odd a pair they are.