To The Moon

Pickled Olives

They appear next in what looks like a small bar. The walls covered in light green wallpaper with intricate flower designs painted into it. There is a lamp at the top of the room, with a window on both sides. Two more lamps help light the room; one in the bottom left corner next to a round table with some leftover food from a previous visitor, and the last in the bottom right corner next to a small table with some papers on it. There are three round tables, big enough to fit eight people around one. Neil and Eva are sitting at the table in the bottom left corner of the room. They see John, River, Isabelle and Nick all sitting together at the table on the top left side of the room. The only thing in between them is a jar of pickled olives that sits in front of John, and a beer in each of their hands. River, however, appears to be drinking some kind of juice. 

Nicolas- "So you guys are really going for it, huh?"

John- "Yep! The construction's starting in just a few months. It's a bit of a squeeze; we had to split the payment. But with financing, we'll make do."

Isabelle- "How wonderful, having your dream house built at such a beautiful site."

Nicolas- "You had your wedding at that lighthouse near there all those years ago, didn't you?"

John- "That's not all that's special about it."

He turns and looks at river with compassion in his eyes.

John- "We have a long history with that place."

Nick suddenly changes the subject.

Nicolas- "Well, it's good to have some good news at a get-together for once! Cheers and congratulations, ya two!"

John- "Hey, cheers."

Isabelle turns to Nick.

Isabelle- "Be right back, I'm going to get some fresh air."

She gets up and walks towards the exit to the left of the room.

River- "Me too."

She gets up and follows Isabelle.

Nicolas- "Well buddy, it's sure been a while."

John- "Hasn't it? Who knew how hard it is to get across a few cities nowadays."

Nicolas- "That River, still so quiet, huh?"

John- "Eh, she's actually been talkative at home, and with Isabelle. I guess she's just not used to you."

Nicolas- "Hahah, so I'm the bad guy here, huh?"

They both laugh at the comment, and there is a long silence.

Nicolas- "Oh hey, so did you tell River that thing from back then?"

John- "I did."

Nicolas- "So how did she take it?"

John- "For the most part, she took it well... but something bugs me. Ever since the incident, she's been making these strange rabbits out of paper."

Nicolas- "Origami rabbits?"

John- "Yes. Lots of them."

Nicolas- "Hah, I used to fold origami animals for my daughter all the time. What's wrong with that?"

John- "I don't think it's the same thing. She's been doing nothing but making the same rabbits, day in and day out... Our house is literally filled with them now."

Nicolas- "Didn't Isabelle say that something like that is a common trait with River's condition?"

John- "Yes, but something doesn't feel right this time. When I ask her about it, she never answers. Instead, she gets this distant look in her eyes... It's almost as if she wants something from me. And the strange thing is... I feel like there's something I owe her, too."