Twins Amber and Calcite couldn't be any less alike. Where Cal is happy to stay at home with his piano and guitar, Amber has a desperate need to see unknown places and explore the wilds. Chasing a childhood dream into the jungle of Selvadorada, Amber finds a dream cut short...and Cal finds himself living for two lives, instead of just one.
Canela: Selva has been your dream since we were children. If you gave that up now, everything you have been through, the years of study, will have been for nothing. Could you live with that?
Amber: No, but…Mama, she…
Canela: She has told you to go. That means something, Amber.
Canela: And there is still time. Your mother is a strong woman. A handful more years…I am sure she has them. And if she wants you to live out your dream, who are you to ignore that?
Amber: …not who she raised me to be.
Canela: Then you have your answer, and I have mine.
Amber; Canela?
Canela: A handful of more years, querida, and we will see one another again. In Selva.
Canela: I will see you there, yes?
Amber: Canela, I….yeah. Yeah, you will. I promise.
Canela: Good. Take care of yourself, my friend.
Amber: You too, mi amiga.
Calcite: Hey. Heading out?
Canela: I am. Tell the others goodbye for me?
Calcite: You bet. Have a safe trip, Canela.
Calcite: Not gonna bust a move?
Amber: Nah. …Cal, I need you to tell me something, and I need you to be honest with me.
Calcite: When aren’t I honest with you?
Amber: Have I made a mistake? All this time, prepping to go to Selva, and all the studying, and…
Calcite: I think you’re following your dream. No one ever said those keep us close to home, Am.
Amber: No, but. Should I have been following some other dream? Something that’d keep us both here…
Calcite: Would you have been happy doing that? You never really liked this town.
Amber: …no. It’s too small here.
Calcite: So, even if you didn’t dream about going to Selva, you’d still dream about going somewhere else. That’s…that’s not a mistake, Might be stupid, but…
Amber: Aren’t all stupid things mistakes?
Calcite: …dunno.
Calcite: but I think…I think if you weren’t meant to be doing this…it wouldn’t have stuck with you for so long. If it wasn’t important, you’d have moved on. Somehow.
Amber: And since I didn’t…
Calcite: It’s not a mistake. Or a waste.
Move out day…
Moonstone: Promise you’ll call when you get there?
Calcite: I promise, Mama.
Amber: You’ll call if anything happens, right? We can catch the train and be back in a few hours!
Saffron: I promise, we’ll call you if you need to be here. But don’t worry so much!
Saffron: Everything’s gonna be fine, honey bee, I promise.
Moonstone: And don’t forget that if things go sideways, you can always come home, too.
Calcite: Hey, we’re gonna be fine, too. But yeah, we know.
Moonstone: Good. And remember to have some fun, too. It’s university! Live a little.
Calcite: A little?
Moonstone: A little. *laugh* Be good. Or, you know, don’t get caught.
Saffron: And look out for each other!
Amber: Oh, that’ll be the easiest part!
Moonstone: Think they’ll be okay?
Saffron: They’ll be more than okay, babe. They’ll be just fine.
Saffron: Now if they want to punch their cousins by the time they come home…that’s another story.
Moonstone: *laugh* Don’t we know it.
Wineburg University Campus, Student Dorms.
Maré: Ugh, finally…that was a long ride.
Amber: Could have been worse. It could have been a boat.
Palus: Don’t even joke about that.
Corona: There’s supposed to be another guy living here…he’s supposed to give us a tour, I think?
Calcite: Yeah. The Professor said his name was…Nova, I think? He’s a year ahead of us.
Lacus: Yeah, and he’s rooming with you. Better hope he likes snoring!
Amber: Lac, shut it.
Lacus: Hey–
Corona: Don’t start. Am, you’ve got a single, right? Mind if I sleep on your floor sometimes?
Amber: If you want, sure. Why–oh. Maré snores, too.
Maré: I do not!
*laughter*
Palus: Okay, okay, no killing each other yet. Let’s graduate first!
Amber: No promises!
Calcite: *laugh* We’ll be lucky to make it out alive, won’t we?
Maré: You? Nah. Everyone else? For sure.
Calcite: Thanks for the vote of confidence! *laugh*
*Knock on door*
??: Come in!
Calcite: Hi–Nova, right?
Nova: Got it in one! And you’re…Calcite?
Calcite: Yep. Your new roommate.
Calcite: Sorry about barging into your space like this. I tried rooming with my sister, but the Dean was pretty firm about no co-ed rooms…
Nova: Yeah, she’s like that. No worries, though. It’s nice to meet you, Calcite. What’re you studying?
Calcite: Music theory, piano focus. You?
Nova: Music theory, guitar focus. I’ve gotta warn you, Professor Harmony’s a real hardcase on the classics. He doesn’t mess around.
Calcite: Haa…thanks for that. I’m real bad at the classics.
Nova: I can give you a hand with those if you want? Study buddies.
Calcite: That sounds great. But I don’t wanna put too much on you–you’ve got your own classes, don’t you?
Nova: Eh, I prefer a study buddy anyway.
Nova: So the official tour’s full of old lies and whatnot–the most you need to know about Wineburg is that it’s old, full of dust, and off-campus is kinda…boring.
Maré: Boring how?
Nova: The biggest draw is a topiary chessboard.
Nova: There’s a gym, and a library, and a bar, and a nightclub, but otherwise…it’s a university town with not much else to it.
Corona: Sounds like you’ve seen it all.
Nova: I spent most of my time on Maxis in this town. I know how boring it is.
Calcite: You’re not from Maxis?
Nova: Nope! Kahje born and raised; my parents were diplomats that retired when I was eighteen. Been here ever since.
Maré: I am so sorry. You must be bored out of your skull by now.
Corona: Jeez…no kidding about the boring part. You said there was a nightclub in town?
Nova: Club Memo, down at the end of the road. Open from sundown to sunrise, and with plenty of tunes to spare.
Calcite: So long as they have landing mats, too…
Nova: That I don’t know.
Corona: That’s the town. But what about you?
Nova: Pardon?
Corona: You know, you! Girlfriend, boyfriend, partner…what’s it like living in this town, that kinda thing!
Nova: Oh, uh, boyfriend. I don’t have one now, but. Right, anyway, the town’s cool. Kind of boring, really, but it’s quiet most of the time and great for studying. The professors are…usually pretty chill.
Amber: Usually?
Nova: Professor Harmony can get loud if he thinks you’re doing something off. He means well, but. Loud.
Palus: You’re gonna need earplugs, Cal.
Calcite: Don’t remind me.
Amber: You’ll be fine.
Nova: You’ll catch on quick. Well, that’s the town. But there is…one last thing to show you. How are you all with superstitions?
Lacus: Pretty cool. Why?
Nova: Well, old town legend is that a wish made in this fountain on the first day of term is supposed to come true, so…figure it can’t hurt.
Calcite: Sure. Why not?
Lacus: Bets on what he’s wishing for?
Amber: *chuckle* No bet. I know.
Calcite: Has your wish come true?
Nova: Not yet, but it’s got until graduation to work out, so I’m not worried.
Maré: We’re both seeing this, right?
Amber: Oh yeah. *snicker* He’s got it so bad.
Calcite: You said this was all of the town. But what about the Campus itself?
Nova: That’s next.
Nova: Here we are. Wineburg U campus in all its glory.
Maré: It’s huge!
Palus: Someone’s overcompensating.
Nova: They kind of have to; the campus teaches a couple thousand students each term, and all of them come through here even if they commute to school.
Amber: Where’s the archaeology department?
Nova: Archaeology’s in the western wing. I think it’s Professor Agave who teaches that one. You’re going full term or…
Amber: Accelerated course of study.
Calcite: Amber doesn’t do slow.
Lacus: And Athletics?
Nova: Those are outside, but those specific courses won’t start until after the last thaw. Just another month, I think.
Lacus: Oh good! I get more time off.
Nova: Until Coach comes back, yeah. *laugh* And that’s about the extent of the campus, really. No fraternities, no sororities, just classes and lunch.
Amber: It’s school. That’s what it’s supposed to be. We don’t need anything else.
Corona: And what about that building, Nova?
Nova: Hm? Oh, that’s the fancy dorm. The old money students who’re full of themselves because their parents bought their way in. You’re better off not going in there.
Calcite: Ha! No thank you. Hey, Cor, isn’t Peppermint’s family old money like that?
Corona: Yeah, but he’s not.
Maré: Even if he went to Britechestnut without a placement scholorship?
Corona: Even if.
That evening…
*knock on door*
Amber: Come in!
Calcite: At work already?
Amber: Nah. Letting Ma and Mama know we’re settling in okay. And checking my class schedule.
Calcite: I still don’t know how you convinced everyone to take accelerated courses.
Amber: It’s cheaper!
Calcite: Oh, I know! But…seriously, how’d you convince Corona to work that hard?
Amber: Two years away from Peppermint instead of four.
Amber: She didn’t take much convincing once I said that.
*both laugh*
Calcite: It’s gonna be a lot of work, though. You sure you’re ready for this?
Amber: I’m sure. Are you?
Calcite: Who, me? You bet!
Amber: uh-huh. I’m not the one rooming with a really attractive guy, you know…
Calcite: You wouldn’t be bothered even if you were!
Amber: Eh, true! I’m just saying….it’d be cool if you got distracted. A little.
Calcite: Maybe a lot. I dunno. But you know, it’d be cool if you got distracted, too. If there’s someone who catches your eye,…
Amber: Eh, nah. I’d rather study.
Calcite: I know. I’m just sayin’….
Amber: *sigh* I know. But, really, that’s not my style. Maybe someday, but not while we’re here.
Calcite: Oh, so maybe in Selva?
Amber: Pff, no. Not there either. I’d have too much work to do!
Calcite: All work and no play makes Amber Crystal a very boring lady!
Amber: Hey! I’ll show you boring, Mr. Ticklish.
Calcite: You’d have to catch me first, Ms. Studyholic.
Amber: Hm, that’s true….well, I suppose you’re safe, then. At least until after graduation.
Calcite: Lucky me!
Calcite: but seriously, Am, I know this is important to you. Just don’t forget to take care of yourself, too. Okay?
Amber: Okay, okay! I’ll go to bed as soon as I’ve sent this email. Which I can’t do if you’re jabbering all night!
Calcite: Okay, okay. Night, sis.
Amber: Night, bro. Try not to snore poor Nova up all night.
Calcite: Oh, haha. Very funny.
*knock on door*
Nova: Come in! Oh, Calcite–you know you don’t have to knock on your own door, right?
Calcite: I didn’t want to interrupt anything.
Nova: Ha! No, nothing to interrupt. Just me and my bunk. Speaking of which–you’re not uncomfortable if I skip the shirt, are you? It’s kind of a habit…
Calcite: Nah, it’s cool! I, uh, might stare a little, though, if that’s okay?
Nova: Oh?
Calcite: Yeah. You’re pretty much…exactly my type.
Nova: *laugh* Well thank you! And no, I don’t mind the staring. It’s a look, don’t touch before dinner, though.
Calcite: *laugh* Totally fair! And if you ever change your mind, just tell me.
Calcite: I know we’re kinda stuck as roommates, but I’d like us to be friends, too.
Nova: And more?
Calcite: If it goes that way, sure. But friends first, so if I ever make you uncomfy…
Nova: I’ll tell you. Same goes for you, deal?
Nova: Things on Kahje and the ships were pretty different compared to Maxis, and I still have some old habits, so if it gets to be too much…
Calcite: I’ll tell you. But I’d love to hear about some of those differences, if you ever wanna talk about ‘em.
Nova: Careful. Make an offer like that and I’ll take your ears off before you know it.
Calcite: Sounds like it’d be fun.
Nova: Maybe it would be. Just, not tonight.
Calcite: nah, not tonight. Class in the morning.
Nova: And Professor Harmony’s a pain. Better be well rested for that one.
*laughter*
Palus: And then this guy–bellyflops into the pool instead!
Lacus: Hey, it worked though. Coach was impressed.
Palus: Yeah, that you hadn’t broken your face!
Palus: Brother, I don’t know how in the world you’re still alive.
Maré: I get the feeling Mom and Dad asked themselves that question a lot.
Corona: No kidding!
Lacus: Hey, that just means I’m a cat. Nine lives, you know?
Palus: Yeah, and you’ve burned through six of ‘em before you’re even thirty! Keep that up and you won’t see fifty.
Nova: Here’s a question: How’d you live this long with that many cousins?
Calcite: A lot of shoving people into the pool!
Nova: On the left –the left!
Lacus: I got it, I got it–
Calcite: No you don’t got it!
Lacus: Wha–oh, come on!
*muffled laughter from downstairs*
Amber: Guys…some of us have to study…
*laughter continues downstairs*
Amber: Ugh…great. Where are my headphones.
Nova: –So he comes out of the cryopod drunker than when he went in, and the Lieutenant goes to check on him and he–
Calcite: Oh, Watcher, don’t tell me…
Nova: He starts flirting with her!
Calcite: Oh no! How’d she take that?
Nova: She was so mad you could see the steam coming out of her ears! But then–then the Captain stops and she takes one look at this mess and says, “both of you drop and give me twenty.”
Calcite: Oh–oh no….*laughter* He couldn’t?
Nova: He couldn’t even do one! He fell flat on his face and the Lieutenant did all forty for the two of them. She *laugh* She told him to come back when he could do that and then she’d think about it.
Calcite: *laugh*
Calcite: Oh gosh…he never tried that stunt again, did he?
Nova: Never. He couldn’t even look the LT in the eye after that.
Calcite: How did you last through…Watcher, what, six months of that?
Nova: Honestly it wasn’t that bad. It got me a ton of stories to tell, though you won’t catch me dead on a long-haul ship ever again.
Nova: Especially not since they’re going on five years for some trips out to the Rim systems. Balance preserve us all from those crews.
Calcite: Yeah, I like my feet on the ground, thanks.
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