What the hell happened in there? — Evelyn asked, bewildered, but no one answered, clearly unwilling to rehash it.
The madness didn't truly end until Flora personally said goodbye to each and every person, promising to check in before the next shoot. At last, only she, Manu, and Evelyn remained on deck—Evelyn still clutching her loyal comrade, the camera. She'd leave only once the director did—out of crew solidarity and because she loved her niece.
Do I deserve her kind of loyalty? Things aren't going exactly Sure, we've gathered a lot of footage, and maybe we'll end up with something… or maybe not?- Flora debated herself internally and came to a bleak verdict: Of course it'll flop. Not even because of box office numbers—it won't even make it that far. No distributor's gonna touch your weird little Just like those fake negotiations. — Copy chimed in sweetly, leaning over the railing and watching the moonlight shimmer on the water.
To avoid arguing with that stubborn goat, Flora turned to Manu to say goodbye, first thanking him for the yacht and the auction idea. But then he surprised her:
Lady Flora, would you stay and chat for a bit? Not about the film, I Things are moving along, chaotic as they may be, but I'm genuinely enjoying filming with you. So what would we talk about? — The director asked, curiosity The exhaustion she'd felt yesterday was gone. The rush of adrenaline still buzzing through her veins kept her sharp and alert. Let's sit down, you and Lady Evelyn too, and have a little bite. I'm worried those salads are about to go bad.
Sensible idea, — Evelyn
They made their way to the table, sat properly, tucked napkins over their clothes, and began to eat. Flora usually ate very little—not out of some vanity over her figure, but simply because her body didn't need many calories to keep functioning.
But now she tore into the food, stabbing at each bite with her fork while occasionally glancing at the forgotten bottle that had once been a person. Manu, on the other hand, seemed more contemplative, watching her like he was working up the courage to say something. Evelyn was the first to break the silence.
The aunt stood unwavering, loyal to her code. As promised, she never turned off the camera and kept filming—even now during the meal (clearly still mourning the missed footage from the cabin). She didn't even sit, standing at the ready with her lens trained on them, until she asked:
Manu, so what did you want to talk about?
Wiping his mouth and sighing quietly, the Hawaiian finally decided to share his tale.
I've never really talked about what happened to me in… my other life. Not even with Leilani, and she's the closest person I've But now… I think I'm ready. I hope my story makes it into our film.
Only if it's good, — Copy snapped,
No doubt about it, — Flora reassured — Audiences always love finding out about the past of a character they've grown attached to. Thank you. - – The man looked at her with touching – - I appreciate words like that. I can tell you're speaking from the heart. In the story I'm about to tell, I'll leave out specific names, because the events were... complicated, and caused a rift between different groups of people.- To get straight to the point, I'll say this – a few years ago (not that long, really), I was working as an astronomer at an observatory. My colleagues and I received an order from upper management: they were planning to build one of the biggest telescopes in the world in my And not just a telescope – a Telescope, with a height of ninety- eight and a half feet.
Something went wrong even before the construction phase? - Asked the camerawoman, who, it turns out, wasn't just a pirate ship prop maker and actor, but also a scientist (- A multi- talented character. Reminds me of another actor – Mr. Sins,- muttered the Copy). Mournfully, Manu nodded:
Exactly so, dear The telescope was supposed to be installed on a mountain that's sacred to my people. And because of its deep spiritual meaning, word of the planned construction spread fast, and a massive protest broke out. People rallied and demanded they cancel the project, so the sacred site wouldn't be desecrated.
Which, I take it, is important to you as well?