02x05 - Brianna's Favorite Pencil

[bunniefuu]

[WOMAN] Previously on Motherland

We learned about the Camarilla

using hearing tests

to identify witches.

Orsatti's on the move.

Hopefully, toward a higher-up

in the Camarilla.

Felida will be touring

some of the other council nations,

General Sharma has offered

her protection.

There have been reports

of more outbreaks

of that disease they created.

Esterbrook and her witches

refused conscription

So they martyred themselves.

Why isn't General Alder

a bigger part of that story?



She wasn't there when

the martyrdom occurred.

I heard she was.

Fighting alongside a

soldier named Batan.

I blamed Adil for the

death of the Tarim.

That's why he didn't stay.

Your daughters will be safe with us.

[CROWD CHANTING] Not our daughters!

Not our daughters!

Do you really think it was Scylla?



I'd know those eyes anywhere.

The Camarilla came for me,

And I couldn't do a damn thing about it.

- [BIDDIES HISSING]

- No more lies!

Who is Nicte Batan?



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?



Go on.

Finish your proposition.

That is the proposition.

You forgot the part

regarding what you expect us

to give to you.

Khalida, I had hoped

you thought better of us.

I think what my sister's trying to say

is that we know

how militarized nations work.

Do I seem naive, General Sharma?



Of course not.

- Whoo, whoo, whoo!

- General!

[GENERAL SCREAMING

IN HIGH-PITCHED VOICE]

[TRAIN BREAKS SCREECHING]

[THEME MUSIC PLAYING]

[DELTA BLUES IS PLAYING ON GRAMOPHONE]

Do you like civilian music?



I enjoy it immensely.

Please, sit.

Where did you hear about Nicte Batan?



I know she personally served

under you in Liberia.

During the Martyrdom.

And that messed her up.

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

You can redact photographs

and edit history books

all you want, General,

but I know you were there with her.

[RECORD SKIPPING]

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.

So why cover-up Nicte?



She deserted shortly after witnessing

what Esterbrook and her

followers did to themselves.

I consider that an even deeper

moment of personal failure.

So hiding her away is just

to protect your pride?



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.

I just wanted answers.

And what makes you think

you are owed any?



We are connected.

That time has passed.

Then why have I been seeing

these memories?



Ever since the surgery.

I thought they were dreams at first

I'll have Izadora give you

something to make sure

that the connection is

well and truly severed.

Dismissed.

Work on those seeds, Privates.

Everything gets real after the break.

I heard about what happened

at the testing center.

Is Bellweather okay?



Yeah, her mom's checking on her now.

Did you know that Scylla

escaped from custody?



Why would I know anything about that?



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

tryna screw with my head

We are aware

that Ramshorn is no longer in custody.

And yes, she was on site yesterday.

And how long have we known

that she's on the loose?



So long as it benefits the m*llitary,

and in this case it does,

does it matter?



Is that as much of an answer

as you're gonna give me?



That's as much as I can, yes.

Said more than I should, actually.

How did she get this?



I'm sorry, Collar.

Really wish, I could help.

Hi Bonnie,

it's Justine.

I was just wondering

about this Halloween party.

Are we supposed

to wear costumes, or ?



[STEPS]

Jonas, wait.

Okay, great. See you Saturday.

Jonas, It's a su1c1de mission.

You don't need to do this.

You think I don't know that?



I need you here.

The Camarilla are picking us off

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?



And you think throwing your life away

is going to change that?



[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.

Move.

You're not weak.

[CHUCKLES UNCOMFORTABLY]

There are things worth dying for,

and there are things worth living for.

There's always a choice.

You're up.

Did you get them?



We're looking for the Camarilla

that escaped.

Look harder.

[SCOFFS] You think we aren't?



You and Alder told everyone

it was the Spree.

But it wasn't the Spree

that att*cked 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.

Except you survived.

Maybe I shouldn't have.

Excuse me?



I wouldn't expect you to understand.

Oh!

And why not?



Because you weren't stupid enough

to walk into their trap.

[SIGHS]

I still can't get the stuff

Izadora gave me

out of my mouth.

Well, at least you can get

a good night's sleep, right?



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.

Well, do you know that for sure?



I saw what happened, Rae.

She wasn't surprised

when they k*lled themselves.

She was

satisfied.

What's with the tables?



Oh, it's for the Dumbsupper tonight.

A what?



For Samhain.

You eat the meal backwards

in complete silence.

Dessert first.

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.

How did you celebrate Samhain

on the Cession?



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]

How you doing, Bells?



Considering I almost got

my throat cut out, again?



Doing great.

[SIGHS UNCOMFORTABLY] No, I was

I was talking about India.

I'm sorry, I-I

I thought you've heard.

There was a Camarilla att*ck

on a government train.

That's where Adil went, right?



Good-bye.

[RAELLE] Abs?



[TALLY] Abigail?



[GREGORIO] It's all over the news.

General Sharma's dead.

It's never gonna stop.

Izadora's on her way to collect

samples and survey the damage

from the Plague att*ck in person.

Has there been any word from the Tarim?



Search and rescue teams

are looking into it, General.

To make matters worse,

the Indian m*llitary has placed

public blame on the Camarilla.

Hm.

So much for The Hague agreeing

to keep things quiet.

It was only a matter of time.

What about here at home?



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.

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

att*ck them on their way

into the building.

Have you briefed President Wade

about what happened in India?



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.

Ah, civilians and their

mysterious customs.

- I think it looks fun.

- [CHUCKLES]

I'm gonna have to borrow

Amelia's jumpsuit.

Oh, we share clothes now?



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

[CHUCKLES] You look amazing yourself.

[EXCITED] Hi!

Oh, hey!

Trick-or-treat, Justine!

Oh, I'm sorry, I don't have any candy.

All I have are witch fingers.

What are witch fingers?



- [MAKES EVIL WITCH LAUGH]

- [BRIANNA GIGGLES]

[ALL LAUGHING]

You ladies clean up nice.

You all ready?



Bonnie, you're not coming?



No, I'm-I'm-I'm gonna take

Brianna trick-or-treating.

Mom duties.

[CHUCKLES UNCOMFORTABLY]

Mommy, can Tiffany come with us?



Tiffany's still on vacation,

honey, remember?



Only one block, okay?



Yep.

Shall we?



You guys have fun!

[GRUNTS]

[BOTH GRUNTING]

[CAPTAIN WADI]

You're better than this, Cadet.

Focus!

[BOTH GRUNTING AND GROANING]

I think we should go home

with Abigail for Fall Break.

Yeah, but at this point,

do you think, she'd even let us?



[GRUNTS LOUDLY]

[ABIGAIL PANTS]

[WHISPER] Sing for us

Won't you?



[ABIGAIL CRYING IN HER MEMORY]

Bellweather! Let's go!

Abigail never taps out.

Where is she going?



Abi?



Abs, maybe you should sit down.

[STORM GRUMBLES NEARBY]

I'm fine.

You ran out of hand to hand.

I've been att*cked

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?



W-well, we were thinking

maybe we should both

come home with you for break.

You won't be safe there.

We won't be safe anywhere.

You can't think like that.

We have fought them off before

and we'll keep doing it

for as long as it takes.

What's going on?



[ALDER] So it begins.

Samhain tradition, Cadets!

For the veil is thin.

And tonight

[GRUNTS]

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.

Anyone heard of the Lost Regiment?



The French and Indian w*r?



Specifically, the Battle of La Tuque.

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 att*ck was swift and brutal.

And none survived.

Every Samhain since,

the Regiment wanders these very woods,

desperate to extinguish the flame.

It's our job to stop them

and keep the fire burning

until the last stroke of midnight.

[HORSES NEIGH]

What happens if we win?



[STORM RUMBLES NEARBY]

You'll get to speak to the

dead witch of your choosing.

From the Lost Regiment?



From anywhere.

I don't have time for games.

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]

[MUTTERS MILD SEED SOUND]

We can't use any Work.

Then we'll improvise.

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

Thanks for including us.

It's too bad Bonnie's

missing out on all this.

[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.

Light 'em up. [CHUCKLES]

I have a lighter.

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.

What kind of gift?



You'll see soon enough.

I'll see you in there.

If everyone's wearing a mask

how are we going to take

the Exarch's face?



We'll improvise, huh?



[SPOOKY NOISES]

[HORSE NEIGHING]

[HORSES' HOOVES ECHOING]

If we make it to midnight,

who are you gonna talk to?



The upside of being last of my line

is that there's no shortage

of people to talk to

on a night like tonight.

Sorry.

It's true.

What about you?



Valda Esterbrook.

The Martyr?



[TALLY] Leader of the

Liberian Front, yeah.

You're gonna burn your Samhain

on someone you've never even met?



I need answers.

Who better to ask than one of the

only other people who were there?



[HORSES NEIGHING]

Raelle?



I need to talk to my mom.

I don't think I've ever needed

anything more.

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]

Incoming!

[SOFT CLASSICAL MUSIC PLAYING]

Ladies and gentlemen,

may I have your attention?



[SCYLLA] The Exarch's that cop

from the testing center.

[ANACOSTIA] Guess, we found our mark.

Yeah. Now we just have to figure

out how to get close to him.

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]

We just have to make it to midnight.

They're not gonna make that easy.

- [SWORD SWOOSHING]

- [ABIGAIL GRUNTS]

[HORSES TROTTING]

Tally!

[GASPS] Gregorio!

[TALLY'S BREATHING HEAVILY]

Collar, we need a Fixer.

Collar! We need a Fixer!

Tally, get over here!

Go, go, go.

Sorry about this.

- [SOMETHING CRACKS]

- [GREGORIO SCREAMS]

[SCREAMS]

[BREATHING HEAVILY]

[WHISPERING]

In this twilight of the world

the evil of witch is super abounds.

Ladies and Gentlemen

[GIRL CRYING QUIETLY]

we are about to rid the world

of some of that evil.

[SCYLLA] That psychopath.

He kidnapped Brianna's friend.

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

[ANACOSTIA] She's the gift.

My friends

tonight we offer up a witch.

[PEOPLE CLAPPING]

[ANACOSTIA] I'm gonna try to

k*ll the power to the dampeners.

When I do, get the girl and get out.

[WHIMPERING]

- [BELL CHIMES]

- [WHISPERING]

[M] That's the first chime to midnight.

Rae, how is he doing?



Come on, we could use the help out here.

[GASPING FOR AIR]

Is it over?



It's about to be.

- [BELL CHIMES]

- [M] That's six!

[RAE] We need to win this.

- [BELL CHIMES]

- [M] Seven!

[HORSE NEIGHING]

[BELL KEEPS CHIMING]

[RAE MAKES DEEP NOISE]

[BELL CHIMES FOR THE LAST TIME]

[MAN] The hell do you think

you're doing?



Goddess, not you again.

Do I know you?



We've met once or twice.

[MAN GRUNTS]

Does that jog your memory?



[MAN GASPS]

[ANACOSTIA GRUNTS]

[BOTH GRUNTING, GROANING, AND PANTING]

[CHOKING]

[GRUNTS]

[Kn*fe OPENS]

[GIRL QUIETLY WHIMPERING]

Everyone, take one.

Plenty to go around.

[GIRL WHIMPERING]

Stop.

Can I help you?



Take me, not her.

Why would we do that?



Because I'm a witch.

[CROWD GASPING]

Justine, what are you doing?



My name is not Justine,

you ignorant rat carcass.

Exarch, I don't know

what she's talking about.

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.

Perfect.

The little one can watch

while we deal with you.

[GIRL WHIMPERING]

Unlike her,

your vocal chords are

perfectly ripe for harvest.

[PEOPLE GASPING]

Trick-or-treat!

[HISSES]

[PEOPLE GASP]

[WOMEN WHIMPER]

[GRUNTING]

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.

How long do we have?



Till the candle burns out.

- That doesn't seem long enough.

- It never is.

I'll tell Libby you said "hi".

Give her my best.

You all right?



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.

You'll know when you see her.

[INHALING]

Willa Collar.

Valda Esterbrook.

Charvel Bellweather.

[SPIDER STEPS ECHO]

[METAL CLINKS]

[GASPS]

[PANTING]

Valda

[SHAKING] H-hi, you

Y-you don't know me.

Tally Craven, United States m*llitary

Time is short, Conscripted.

[SPIDER STEPS ECHO]

Char?



Char, is that you?



[CHARVEL] You're a failure.

I know.

I should have been there to save you.

I live with it every day.

And it's just this pain

You didn't fail me.

You failed yourself.

[BREATHING HEAVILY]

Why did you martyr yourself?



[HISSING] Lies!

[WHISPERING] You think I did this?



By choice?



[TALLY PANTING]

My brothers and sisters.

General Alder's army is here.

We are surrounded.

I had no choice but to surrender.

You've let yourself be victimized

again and again and again

by the animals that slaughtered me.

The Camarilla used you against me

to throw me off balance,

to try and take my voice.

The enemy used your own

insecurities against you.

You complain about others

not getting the job done

that you should be

getting done yourself.

I'm a soldier. I can only do

what I'm told.

I thought that, too.

Then I got m*rder*d.

[ESTERBROOK] No! No!

Stop! Don't!

[WHIMPERING]

[SCREAMS]

You need to stop worrying

about being a soldier,

and start worrying

about being a warrior.

I just

I don't wanna be afraid anymore.

Then get rid of that

which terrifies you.

What are you saying?



You are Abigail Bellweather,

the last of our line.

And you are vengeance.

[EXHALING]

Mom.

Mom, please.

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?



I don't know, Rae.

I need to go pack for break.

I need to see my dad.

[SNIFFING]

Okay, I know we said we would

go home with you, but

No, believe me. I get it.

Please come, too.

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.

I added that last part.

Uh, how would you even find them?



Where would you start?



I haven't gotten to that part yet.

Why are you looking at me like that?



Because even if you

do manage to find them,

you're basically just

offering yourself up.

Think about what you're saying.

You're right.

I am.

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

We were just talking about you.

Oh!

Mom, what is it?



[PETRA] It's about Adil.

[PANTING]

[BREATHING HEAVILY]

Thank Goddess you're okay.

When I heard about the train

Khalida and I were the only survivors.

It's good to see you, too.

[CHUCKLES] Uh, where is she?



Um, she'll hate it,

but I'll give her a hug, too.

She's still with The Hague.

I was gonna stay with her,

but she could tell how much

I needed to see you.

I'm so glad you're here.

I haven't stopped shaking since India.

Hey, you made it out.

That's what's important.

[SIGHING] All I could

think about was you.

Look, I know, they've come

for your family before

And they tried again.

Being hunted gives you a unique

perspective on survival, doesn't it?



Time to make them feel hunted.

And we start with the one

who k*lled Charvel.

You want breakfast?



I just dropped off Brianna at school.

Denver omelet. Extra ham.

[SIGHS]

Oh.

She forgot her favorite pencil.

Are you sure that's all you want?



[CHUCKLES]

Well, now that you mention it

You know,

Tiffany is still not in school.

You don't think something bad

happened to her, do you?



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.

[CHANTING] Not our daughters,

not our daughters

Not our daughters.

Justine! I didn't know

you were coming over today.

Oh yeah, I was just dropping

something off for Shane.

Have a coffee with me?

I can't today, I'm sorry.

Next time.

Bonnie!

Find something to live for.

Something that's beautiful and real.

Like your daughter.

Otherwise, hate is gonna eat you whole.

[BONNIE SCREAMS]

[THEME MUSIC PLAYING]