Sirius: You have no idea what you’re talking about. I’m not playing at anything. I don’t–

Lobelia: Oh please. Shut up already. Do you have any idea the storm you’ve brought down on us all? 

Provence: …what is she talking about Sirius?

Sirius: Don’t listen to her Provence, she just wants everyone else to be as miserable as she is. 

Lobelia: Is that Glade’s girl? Such a pretty little thing she turned out to be. [smirks] It’s too bad, what happened to her father. 

Sirius: Don’t you even think about talking to her. 

Lobelia: Oh please. This whole “family man” act you have been putting on lately is pathetic. Do you really think you can protect them? This will rot in your hands just like everything else you touch. 

Meanwhile…

Provence: [laughing] You have to be the worst Don’t Wake the Llama player I have ever met.

Sirius: I wouldn’t say I’m the worst player.

Provence: [snorts] It was literally like watching Godzilla terrorize San Maraschino. You’re walking force of destruction.

A few hours later…

Altair: Are you still awake?

Ume: …

Altair: I guess not.  [sighs] Thank you for tonight…I… you have no idea how much it means to me. [mumbling] I’m so stupid. It’s not like you’ll hear any of this…

[long pause]

Altair: [quiet] I’m sorry… I know that this isn’t the best way to say this. Shitake, I know you can’t even hear me. The way I ended us… was awful. I should have done it better. I should have listened to you. Saying I was upset, that I didn’t think things through… doesn’t make it better. The truth is… I miss you. I shouldn’t but I do…

Fudge… I shouldn’t have said all that.

I’m going to hang up now. Goodnight, Ume. 

[hangs up]

Ume: I miss you too Altair…

Ume: You should probably call Clover…

Altair: Please… Ume. Clover is starting classes this week. I don’t want to bother her… and there’s no one else here. Provence is visiting her friends in Peanut Brittle Bay and…

Ume: Okay. I get it.

Altair: Will you talk to me for a little?

Ume: What do you want me to talk to you about Altair?

Altair: Anything. Everything. Just keep talking, please… 

Ume: …okay. 

Altair: I…I… you’re joking, right? She wouldn’t… she couldn’t do that. Why are you telling me this over the phone?

Ume: Would you have agreed to meet me even if I had asked?

Altair: No… you’re right.

Ume: I’m sorry Altair… 

[silence]

Ume: Are you still there?

Altair: … I’m just… processing. I can’t believe it.

Ume: I’ll let you go. I’m sure you probably want to call someone else–

Altair: Wait. Please. Don’t hang up.

Ume: I… I’m sorry Altair. I should have noticed that something was off with her. Maybe I could have…

Altair: What are you talking about? You’re scaring me.

Ume: We found her… this morning. There was an empty bottle of anti-depressants next to her.

Altair: W-wait… this has to be some kind of joke. Please tell me you’re not saying what I think you are.

Ume: She’s gone, Altair. I’m sorry… I’m so, so sorry.

[phone ringing]

Altair: [answers] What is that is so important that you couldn’t tell me in a message?

Ume: It’s about your mom.

Altair: My mom?

Ume: She stopped by the station yesterday…[nervous pause]  I didn’t… I should have… [sighs] … 

Altair: … Ume… what was my mom doing at the station?

Ume: She signed a confession… thanks to her we have everything we need to bring Valerian in… 

Altair: [quiet] … are you arresting him?

Ume: … We already did. He’s going to be questioned tomorrow… but that’s not all, Altair… 

Altair: [quiet]  what else is there?