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The camp is beautiful, but the men are cold. Inside the majestic main hall yurt — a towering six‑point dome with a great fire glowing at its center — everyone huddles close. The flames crackle, throwing warm light across tired faces. It’s a sanctuary, a lifeline, a place to crawl back to when the mountain is too much. Blake shivers violently.
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Blake:
“I think I have frostbite.”
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Beat.
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Metro:
“Me too.”
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Paul grunts but keeps his hands dangerously close to the flames.
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Ana rises from her spot by the fire and curls into her bed along the wall. Lilly stands abruptly.
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Lilly:
“I’m going to check on dinner.”
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She slips out, beads clattering behind her as the sheet lifts and falls. The beads part again — this time gently — as Kathryn pokes her head in, smiling wide before stepping fully inside.
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Kathryn:(in awe):
“Wow… this looks amazing.”
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Everyone smiles faintly. Except Rose, whose head rests on Metro’s shoulder, eyes half‑closed in warmth. Archeus rises from his desk, hunched but alert.
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Archeus:
“I trust you bring good news?”
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Kathryn struts elegantly toward the gigantic lantern hanging above the fire.
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Kathryn:
“Of course, Archie…”
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The beads whisper again — barely a sound — as Gregory enters like a shadow. Mask on, goggles green‑tinted, posture straight. He carefully gathers the beads behind him so they don’t clatter.
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Everyone stands to greet him, offering smiles and questions.
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Gregory nods slightly and calmly to each in humble reverence. Then the beads explode open. Sam steps through, careless and heavy‑footed.
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The room shifts.
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Metro’s face tightens; he snaps his eyes to the fire. Stands and turns to his desk.
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Rose watches him, worried.
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Paul exhales in tired acceptance.
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Sam sits in the corner by the door, arms crossed, head down.
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Gregory remains standing.
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Archeus approaches Sam, shaking his hand while glancing at Gregory.
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Archeus:(warmly):
“It is great to have you all with us. No doubt this will be a challenging experience for everyone. Nevertheless… thank you for coming.”
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Gregory scans the room until he finds Metro at the desk. He steps forward, stiff and robotic.
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Gregory:
“Metro.”
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Metro turns and stands slowly, exhausted from overwork in the cold.
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Metro (faint smile):
“How are you, brother?”
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Gregory:
“Better now.”
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They shake hands — a small, quiet bromance moment.
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Gregory:
“I brought Sam as well. I know you two haven’t seen eye to eye… but things are out of control in the village. Others will need our help eventually. Sam’s willing to work with you and put things behind him.”
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A beat.
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“He’s loyal. And a good friend to me.”
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Metro looks past Gregory to Sam — crouched like a man trying not to exist. Sam stands instinctively when Metro approaches.
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Two souls read each other in silence.
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Metro extends his hand.
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Metro:
“Thank you for coming.”
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Sam looks at the hand, away, then back — something shifting in his expression.
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He shakes.
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Sam (softq):
“Thanks for having me.”
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Rose’s eyes gleam. Everyone feels the air change.
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Kathryn suddenly steals the moment, lifting a dozen quails tied by their feet.
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Kathryn:
“We’ve got quails for supper! This’ll go great with the rice and veggies tonight.”
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Every pair of eyes lights up with primal hunger.
Kathryn exits toward the kitchen, and all the women follow — even Rose is pulled away by the scent of food.The men settle by the fire.
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Silence.
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Comfortable at first… then stretched thin into awkwardness.
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The beads slash open, Rebecca storming in.
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Rebecca:(urgently)
“Something’s wrong!”
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Every head snaps up.
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Metro:(straightens, sharp)
“What’s going on?”
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and then Add to home screen.