02x05 - Brianna's Favorite Pencil

[bunniefuu]

Previously, on Motherland:

Petra: We learned about the Camarilla using hearing tests to identify witches.

Scylla: Orsatti's on the move.

Willa: Hopefully, toward a higher-up in the Camarilla.

Sharma: Khalida will be touring some of the other council nations.

Khalida: General Sharma has offered her protection.

Sharma: There have been reports of more outbreaks of that disease they created.

Petra: Esterbrook and her witches refused conscription. So they martyred themselves.

Tally: Why isn't General Alder a bigger part of that story?

Petra: She wasn't there when the martyrdom occurred.

Tally: I heard she was. Fighting alongside a soldier named Batan.

Abigail: I blamed Adil for the death of the Tarim. That's why he didn't stay.

Raelle: Your daughters will be safe with us.

Shane and Crowd: Not our daughters! [repeating]

Tally: Do you really think it was Scylla?

Raelle: I'd know those eyes anywhere.

Abigail: The Camarilla came for me, And I couldn't do a damn thing about it.

[BIDDIES HISSING]

Tally: No more lies! Who is Nicte Batan?

---

General Sharma: India, unlike the United States, can provide complete autonomy for the Tarim people, should you decide to settle here. Oh, plus, we have excellent food. Have you tried the Nankhatai?

Khalida: Go on. Finish your proposition.

Sharma: That is the proposition.

Khalida: You forgot the part regarding what you expect us to give to you.

Sharma: Khalida, I had hoped you thought better of us.

Adil: I think what my sister's trying to say is that we know how militarized nations work.

Khalida: Do I seem naive, General Sharma?

Sharma: Of course not.

Adil: Whoa, w-wai--

Indian delegate: General!

[Sharma and delegate screaming]

[train screeching]

---

Opening credits

---

[DELTA BLUES, PLAYED ON GRAMOPHONE]

Sarah Alder: Do you like civilian music? I enjoy it immensely. Please, sit.

Alder: Where did you hear about Nicte Batan?

Tally Craven: I know she personally served under you in Liberia. During the Martyrdom. And that messed her up.

Alder: I wasn't in Liberia at the time, Cadet.

Tally: You can redact photographs and edit history books all you want, General, but I know you were there with her.

[RECORD SKIPPING]

Alder: The loss of Esterbrook and her rebels is one of my deepest regrets. And as Liberia devolved into chaos, I deemed it more prudent to obscure my direct involvement.

Tally: So why cover-up Nicte?

Alder: She deserted shortly after witnessing what Esterbrook and her followers did to themselves. I consider that an even deeper moment of personal failure.

Tally: So hiding her away is just to protect your pride?

Alder: We all have our prideful failings. For instance, your belief that you can barge in here, in the dead of night, no less, to make accusations of conspiracy and nefarious intent against me.

Tally: I just wanted answers.

Alder: And what makes you think you are owed any?

Tally: We...are connected.

Alder: That time has passed.

Tally: Then why have I been seeing these memories? Ever since the surgery, I thought they were dreams at first--

Alder: I'll have Izadora give you something to make sure that the connection is well and truly severed. Dismissed.

---

Anacostia Quartermaine: Work on those seeds, Privates. Everything gets real after the break.

Anacostia: I heard about what happened at the testing center. Is Bellweather okay?

Raelle Collar: Yeah, her mom's checking on her now. Did you know that Scylla escaped from custody?

Anacostia: Why would I know anything about that?

Raelle: Maybe, because you're the last soldier to see her before she was allegedly shipped off to jail. And before you try to get me off this, I saw her. At the riot. Where I found this. So unless this is another Spree agent trying to screw with my head--

Anacostia: We are aware that Ramshorn is no longer in custody. And yes, she was on site yesterday.

Raelle: And how long have we known that she's on the loose?

Anacostia: So long as it benefits the military, and in this case it does, does it matter?

Raelle: Is that as much of an answer as you're gonna give me?

Anacostia: That's as much as I can, yes. Said more than I should, actually.

Raelle: How did she get this?

Anacostia: I'm sorry, Collar. Really wish, I could help.

---

Scylla Ramshorn: Hi Bonnie, it's Justine. I was just wondering about this Halloween party. Are we supposed to wear costumes, or...?

[STEPS]

Willa Collar: Jonas, wait.

Scylla: Okay, great. See you Saturday.

Willa: Jonas, It's a suicide mission. You don't need to do this.

Jonas Blackfoot: You think I don't know that?

Willa: I need you here. The Camarilla are picking us off--

Jonas: I'm not here for the Camarilla. I'm here to change things so that our people can stop fighting their wars. Is any of this sounding familiar?

Scylla: And you think throwing your life away is going to change that?

Jonas: [SCOFFS] Ahh, what happened to you? You know, out of everyone, I thought you'd understand. Used to be a wild animal. Now you're just soft, ineffective, comfortable. Weak.

Jonas: Move.

Willa: You're not weak.

Scylla: [scoffs]

Willa: There are things worth dying for, and there are things worth living for. There's always a choice.

---

Petra Bellweather: You're up.

Abigail Bellweather: Did you get them?

Petra: We're looking for the Camarilla that escaped.

Abigail: Look harder.

Petra: [SCOFFS] You think we aren't?

Abigail: You and Alder told everyone it was the Spree. But it wasn't the Spree that attacked me. It wasn't the Spree that tried to cut out my throat. It was the Camarilla. They came after me, just like they did with Charvel.

Petra: Except you survived.

Abigail: Maybe I shouldn't have.

Petra: Excuse me?

Abigail: I wouldn't expect you to understand.

Petra: Oh! And why not?

Abigail: Because you weren't stupid enough to walk into their trap.

Petra: [SIGHS]

---

Tally: I still can't get the stuff Izadora gave me out of my mouth.

Raelle: Well, at least you can get a good night's sleep, right?

Tally: I guess. You know, part of me didn't wanna take it. Another part just desperately wanted peace from all of this. Either way, [INHALES SHARPLY] Alder isn't telling the whole truth.

Raelle: Well, do you know that for sure?

Tally: I saw what happened, Rae. She wasn't surprised when they k*lled themselves. She was...satisfied.

Raelle: What's with the tables?

Tally: Oh, it's for the Dumbsupper tonight.

Raelle: A what?

Abigail: For Samhain. You eat the meal backwards in complete silence.

Tally: Dessert first.

Raelle: Well, what about the black chairs?

Abigail: For the dead to join in. As if the dead actually care about bad wine and squash casserole. They're dead. They don't care about anything.

Tally: How did you celebrate Samhain on the Cession?

Raelle: Ahh, my mom wasn't really that into it. We'd just light a candle to honor the dead, and then, she'd let me go trick-or-treating.

[TALLY LAUGHING]

Gregorio Shellbark: How you doing, Bells?

Abigail: Considering I almost got my throat cut out, again? Doing great.

Gregorio: [SIGHS UNCOMFORTABLY] No, I was, I was talking about India. I'm sorry, I-I, I thought you've heard. There was a Camarilla attack on a government train. That's where Adil went, right?

Adil [flashback]: Good-bye.

Raelle: Abs?

Tally: Abigail?

Gregorio: It's all over the news. General Sharma's dead.

Abigail: It's never gonna stop.

---

Petra: Izadora's on her way to collect samples and survey the damage from the Plague attack in person.

Alder: Has there been any word from the Tarim?

Petra: Search and rescue teams are looking into it, General. To make matters worse, the Indian military has placed public blame on the Camarilla.

Alder: Hm. So much for The Hague agreeing to keep things quiet.

Petra: It was only a matter of time.

Alder: What about here at home?

Petra: We've got more ground to cover, but now that we have these tapes, the Camarilla can no longer hunt for our kind in schools.

Alder: I just got off the phone with Silver. He's postponing our testing center rollout until further notice. Apparently, some states are barking at sending their daughters for testing, least the Spree attack them on their way into the building.

Petra: Have you briefed President Wade about what happened in India?

Alder: Apparently, she's still under the weather. But please, get the Vice President up to speed. His daughter is one of ours. We'll take whatever allies we can get.

---

Anacostia: Ah, civilians and their mysterious customs.

Scylla: I think it looks fun.

Anacostia: [CHUCKLES]

Scylla: I'm gonna have to borrow Amelia's jumpsuit.

Anacostia: Oh, we share clothes now?

Scylla: Yes. I'm gonna need that coat, too.

Anacostia: [CHUCKLES] You look amazing yourself.

Bonnie: [EXCITED] Hi!

Anacostia: Oh, hey!

Brianna: Trick-or-treat, Justine!

Scylla: Oh, I'm sorry, I don't have any candy. All I have are witch fingers.

Brianna: What are witch fingers?

Scylla: [MAKES EVIL WITCH LAUGH]

[BRIANNA GIGGLES]

[ALL LAUGHING]

Shane: You ladies clean up nice. You all ready?

Anacostia: Bonnie, you're not coming?

Bonnie: No, I'm-I'm-I'm gonna take Brianna trick-or-treating.

Shane: Mom duties.

Scylla: [CHUCKLES]

Brianna: Mommy, can Tiffany come with us?

Shane: Tiffany's still on vacation, honey, remember? Only one block, okay?

Bonnie: Yep.

Shane: Shall we?

Bonnie: You guys have fun!

---

Abigail: [GRUNTS]

[BOTH GRUNTING]

Captain Wadi: You're better than this, Cadet. Focus!

[BOTH GRUNTING AND GROANING]

Tally: I think we should go home with Abigail for Fall Break.

Raelle: Yeah, but at this point, do you think, she'd even let us?

Abigail: [GRUNTS LOUDLY] [ABIGAIL PANTS]

Hearst [flashback]:Sing for us. Won't you?

[ABIGAIL CRYING IN HER MEMORY]

Wadi: Bellweather! Let's go!

Raelle: Abigail never taps out.

Tally: Where is she going?

---

Tally: Abi?

Raelle: Abs, maybe you should sit down.

[STORM GRUMBLES NEARBY]

Abigail: I'm fine.

Tally: You ran out of hand to hand.

Abigail: I've been attacked by the Camarilla twice. They k*lled General Sharma and possibly, Adil and Khalida, so, I feel like we've moved beyond sparring now, no?

Raelle: W-well, we were thinking maybe we should both come home with you for break.

Abigail: You won't be safe there. We won't be safe anywhere.

Tally: You can't think like that. We have fought them off before and we'll keep doing it for as long as it takes.

Raelle: What's going on?

---

Alder: Samhain begins.

---

M: Samhain tradition, Cadets! For the veil is thin. And tonight,

Raelle: [GRUNTS]

M: We wake the dead! As our ancestors have done for centuries. This, Cadets, is the Defending of the Hearth. It's a pre-Samhain ritual, here at w*r College.

[roaring noise]

M: Anyone heard of the Lost Regiment?

Gregorio: The French and Indian w*r?

Tally: Specifically, the Battle of La Tuque.

M: Commodore Hastings and her troops were sequestered deep in the forest during winter. They couldn't light a fire without giving away their location. But when temps dropped too low, they couldn't resist. They decided to light one. Just one fire. And it proved fatal. The enemy's attack was swift and brutal. And none survived. Every Samhain since, the Regiment wanders these very woods, desperate to extinguish the flame.

[horse noises in the background]

M: It's our job to stop them and keep the fire burning until the last stroke of midnight.

Tally: What happens if we win?

[STORM RUMBLES NEARBY]

M: You'll get to speak to the dead witch of your choosing.

Raelle: From the Lost Regiment?

M: From anywhere.

Abigail: I don't have time for games.

Tally: Earlier, you said the dead don't care. What if this way, we can find out?

[NOISES OF A BATTLE ECHO]

[NOISES OF A BATTLE GETTING LOUDER]

---

Scylla: Skaa!

Scylla: We can't use any Work.

Anacostia: Then we'll improvise.

Shane: Ladies. if tonight goes well, we'll be set. These people, they're on another level. The Camarilla. They take care of their own. Investment funds, private schools, real estate. Plenty of cops and judges in their pocket

Scylla: Thanks for including us.

Anacostia: It's too bad Bonnie's missing out on all this.

Shane: [CHUCKLING] No. Bonnie's not cut out for this. Too weak. But I feel like you ladies will do what it takes to bring about a world with no witches.

Anacostia: Light 'em up. [CHUCKLES]

Scylla: I have a lighter.

Scylla: It's not a lot of familiar faces from the Movement here. How'd you get on the list?

Shane: I did provide a little gift.

Anacostia: What kind of gift?

Shane: You'll see soon enough. I'll see you in there.

Anacostia: If everyone's wearing a mask how are we going to take the Exarch's face?

Scylla: We'll improvise, huh?

---

[SPOOKY NOISES]

[HORSE NEIGHING]

[HORSES' HOOVES ECHOING]

Tally: If we make it to midnight, who are you gonna talk to?

Abigail: The upside of being last of my line is that there's no shortage of people to talk to on a night like tonight.

Tally: Sorry.

Abigail: It's true. What about you?

Tally: Valda Esterbrook.

Raelle: The Martyr?

Tally: Leader of the Liberian Front, yeah.

Abigail: You're gonna burn your Samhain on someone you've never even met?

Tally: I need answers. Who better to ask than one of the only other people who were there?

[HORSES NEIGHING]

Tally: Rae?

Raelle: I need to talk to my mom. I don't think I've ever needed anything more.

M: Visibility's low. Trust your ears. You won't see the arrows until they're within a few yards of the hearth, but when you do...do what I just did! Scourge, Windshear, whatever you can. Just one arrow douses the flame. And whatever you do, don't get hit.

[SPOOKY ANIMAL SOUNDS]

[SWORDS SWOOSHING]

Raelle: Incoming!

---

[SOFT CLASSICAL MUSIC PLAYING]

Marcus Tooms: Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention?

Scylla: The Exarch's that cop from the testing center.

Anacostia: Guess, we found our mark.

Scylla: Yeah. Now we just have to figure out how to get close to him.

Tooms: --but I've asked the staff to arrive a little bit later tonight, so that we can start this party with a bang. Allow me to begin by saying what an honor it is to have you all here on this...special night. Special, because tonight we will be reinstating a long-held ritual performed by our ancestors on All Hallow's Eve.

---

[SWORD SWOOSHING]

[HIGH-PITCHED SCREAMING]

[DISTANT SCREAMING]

[GRUNTING]

[METAL HITS METAL]

[SCREECHING SCREAM]

[GRUNTS]

M: We just have to make it to midnight.

Abigail: They're not gonna make that easy.

[SWORD SWOOSHING]

[ABIGAIL GRUNTS]

[HORSES TROTTING]

Gregorio: Tally!

Tally: [GASPS] Gregorio!

[TALLY'S BREATHING HEAVILY]

M: Collar, we need a Fixer. Collar! We need a Fixer!

Abigail: Tally, get over here!

Raelle: Go, go, go. Sorry about this.

[ARROW CRACKS]

[GREGORIO SCREAMS]

[SCREAMS]

[BREATHING HEAVILY]

Raelle: [WHISPERING]

---

Tooms: In this twilight of the world the evil of witch is super abounds. Ladies and Gentlemen,

[GIRL CRYING QUIETLY]

Tooms: We are about to rid the world of some of that evil.

Scylla: That psychopath. He kidnapped Brianna's friend.

Shane: Come on, Tiffy, it's just a party.

Anacostia: She's the gift.

---

Tooms: My friends, tonight we offer up a witch.

[PEOPLE CLAPPING]

[Tiffany crying]

Anacostia: I'm gonna try to k*ll the power to the dampeners. When I do, get the girl and get out.

[TIFFANY WHIMPERING]

---

[BELL CHIMES]

Raelle: [WHISPERING]

M: That's the first chime to midnight.

Tally: Rae, how is he doing?

M: Come on, we could use the help out here.

Gregorio: [GASPING FOR AIR] Is it over?

Raelle: It's about to be.

[BELL CHIMES]

M: That's six!

Raelle: We need to win this.

[BELL CHIMES]

M: Seven!

[HORSE NEIGHING]

[BELL KEEPS CHIMING]

Raelle: [MAKES DEEP NOISE]

[BELL CHIMES FOR THE LAST TIME]

---

Jack Orsatti: The hell do you think you're doing?

Anacostia: Goddess, not you again.

Orsatti: Do I know you?

Anacostia: We've met once or twice.

Orsatti: [GRUNTS]

Anacostia: Does that jog your memory?

[GRUNTS]

Anacostia: [CHOKING]

[GRUNTS]

[KNIFE OPENS]

---

[TIFFANY QUIETLY WHIMPERING]

Tooms: Everyone, take one. Plenty to go around.

[TIFFANY WHIMPERING]

Scylla: Stop.

Tooms: Can I help you?

Scylla: Take me, not her.

Tooms: Why would we do that?

Scylla: Because I'm a witch.

[CROWD GASPING]

Shane: Justine, what are you doing?

Scylla: My name is not Justine, you ignorant rat carcass.

Shane: Exarch, I don't know what she's talking about.

Scylla: Not only am I a witch, I am the Spree, and I've k*lled thousands of civilians. And I enjoyed it. Every. Single. Time.

Tooms: Perfect. The little one can watch while we deal with you.

[TIFFANY WHIMPERING]

Tooms: Unlike her, your vocal chords are perfectly ripe for harvest.

[PEOPLE GASPING]

Scylla: Trick-or-treat! [HISSES]

[PEOPLE GASP]

[WOMEN WHIMPER]

[GRUNTING]

---

dialogue-less scenes

---

M: Find a dark place. Alone. And light your candle. Say the name of the witch you want to speak with. As the wax melts, your messenger will be freed and will bring forth your requested dead.

Tally: How long do we have?

M: Till the candle burns out.

Raelle: That doesn't seem long enough.

M: It never is.

Gregorio: I'll tell Libba you said "hi".

Abigail: Give her my best.

Tally: You all right?

Raelle: Yeah, I just...There are so many things I could ask her about, you know? Like the-the-the last thing she said to me before she left. Or the letters she left me. It's just, I...I don't even know where to start now.

Tally: You'll know when you see her.

---

Raelle: Willa Collar.

Tally: Valda Esterbrook.

Abigail: Charvel Bellweather.

[SPIDER STEPS ECHO]

---

[METAL CLINKS]

Tally: [GASPS] [PANTING]

Tally: Valda. H-hi, you, y-you don't know me. Tally Craven, United States Military

Valda Esterbrooke: Time is short, Conscripted.

---

[SPIDER STEPS ECHO]

Abigail: Char?

Abigail: Char, is that you?

Charvel Bellweather: You're a failure.

Abigail: I know. I should have been there to save you. I live with it every day. And it's just this pain--

Charvel: You didn't fail me. You failed yourself.

---

dialogue-less

---

[BREATHING HEAVILY]

Tally: Why did you martyr yourself?

Valda: [HISSING] Lies! [WHISPERING] You think I did this? By choice?

Tally: [PANTING]

---

Valda: My brothers and sisters. General Alder's army is here. We are surrounded. I had no choice but to surrender.

---

Charvel: You've let yourself be victimized again and again and again by the animals that slaughtered me.

Abigail: The Camarilla used you against me to throw me off balance, to try and take my voice.

Charvel: The enemy used your own insecurities against you. You complain about others not getting the job done that you should be getting done yourself.

Abigail: I'm a soldier. I can only do what I'm told.

Charvel: I thought that, too. Then I got m*rder*d.

---

Valda: No! No! Stop! Don't!

[WHIMPERING]

[SCREAMS]

Tally and Valda: [Screams]

---

Charvel: You need to stop worrying about being a soldier, and start worrying about being a warrior.

Abigail: I just...I don't wanna be afraid anymore.

Charvel: Then get rid of that which terrifies you.

Abigail: What are you saying?

Charvel: You are Abigail Bellweather, the last of our line. And you. Are. Vengeance.

Abigail: [EXHALING]

---

Raelle: Mom.

Raelle: Mom, please.

Raelle: [crying]

---

Raelle: She didn't come. You know, I've gone over the conversation in my head, so many times. And...I thought about what I'd say to her. And...and, how I'd say it, and, what she'd say back, and, how she probably tell me I needed a haircut. Why didn't she come? Why didn't she wanna talk to me?

Tally: I don't know, Rae.

Raelle: I need to go pack for break. I need to see my dad. [SNIFFING]

Tally: Okay, I know we said we would go home with you, but--

Abigail: No, believe me. I get it.

Tally: Please come, too.

Abigail: Charvel set me straight. I need to get back to being me. I need to find the people who took her voice and get it back. And bathe in their blood.

Abigail: I added that last part.

Tally: Uh, how would you even find them? Where would you start?

Abigail: I haven't gotten to that part yet. Why are you looking at me like that?

Tally: Because even if you do manage to find them, you're basically just offering yourself up. Think about what you're saying.

Abigail: You're right.

Tally: I am.

Abigail: Yeah, I guess, I, uh...I was just excited because of Samhain. Besides, I'm sure my mother won't let me out of her sight the entire break, so.

Abigail: We were just talking about you.

Tally: Oh!

Abigail: Mom, what is it?

Petra: It's about Adil.

---

Abigail: [PANTING] [BREATHING HEAVILY]

Abigail: Thank Goddess you're okay. When I heard about the train, I--

Adil: Khalida and I were the only survivors.

Adil: It's good to see you, too.

Abigail: [CHUCKLES] Uh, where is she? Um, she'll hate it, but I'll give her a hug, too.

Adil: She's still with The Hague. I was gonna stay with her, but she could tell how much I needed to see you.

Abigail: I'm so glad you're here.

Adil: I haven't stopped shaking since India.

Abigail: Hey, you made it out. That's what's important.

Adil: [SIGHING] All I could think about was you. Look, I know, they've come for your family before.

Abigail: And they tried again.

Adil: Being hunted gives you a unique perspective on survival, doesn't it?

Abigail: Time to make them feel hunted. And we start with the one who k*lled Charvel.

---

Bonnie: You want breakfast? I just dropped off Brianna at school.

Shane: Denver omelet. Extra ham.

Bonnie: [SIGHS]

Bonnie: Oh. She forgot her favorite pencil.

Bonnie: Are you sure that's all you want? [CHUCKLES]

Shane: Well, now that you mention it...

Bonnie: You know, Tiffany is still not in school. You don't think something bad happened to her, do you?

Shane: Of course, not. And anyway, we talked about this, Bon. Even if something bad did happen, it's just one less witch in the world.

Bonnie: [WHISPER CHANTING] Not our daughters, not our daughters.

Scylla: Not our daughters.

---

Bonnie: Justine! I didn't know you were coming over today.

Scylla: Oh yeah, I was just dropping something off for Shane.

Bonnie: Have a coffee with me?

Scylla: I can't today, I'm sorry.

Bonnie: Next time.

Scylla: Bonnie!

Scylla: Find something to live for. Something that's beautiful and real. Like your daughter. Otherwise, hate is gonna eat you whole.

Bonnie: [SCREAMS]