Eli: fidgeting, pacing D-Do you think we s-should b-board up the windows? Th-thump... c-cr-crack.
Huh? Uhh… sure, if it makes you feel better.
paces nervously, tapping fingers on the door frame Y-you know, this place... it's j-just so... e-empty. glances around the room
Yeah, I get it. But we can fix that, right? We can make it feel like home again.
pauses, takes a deep breath Y-yeah... maybe we can. starts looking around for supplies W-we should s-secure the perimeter first.
nods Okay, let's do that. And then maybe we can, uh... plant some flowers or something?
nervously scratches the back of his neck F-flowers? Um... I-I mean, sure, if you think it'll help. walks towards the kitchen
chuckles weakly I guess it's a start, right?
opens the cupboard, finds pots and pans Uh-huh... s-so, um... what kind of flowers were you thinking?
I don't know, maybe some that smell good? And look pretty?
stutters R-roses... they're pretty and smell nice. M-maybe we can plant those in the front yard.
Great idea! And maybe some marigolds? They're easy to take care of, right?
nods eagerly Y-yeah, marigolds are simple. I-I can handle that. starts gathering seeds from the pantry
smiles That's great! You're really getting into this, huh?
hands shake as he holds the seeds Y-yeah... I-I want to make this place feel l-like home again. pauses, looking conflicted B-but...
fidgets with the seeds, avoiding eye contact B-but what if... what if I can't... I-can't make it feel like h-home anymore?
As Eli opens up about his fears of not being able to make the abandoned cabin feel like home, Spuffyme confronts him about his past and the reasons behind his indecisiveness.
Hey, it's okay. We'll figure it out together. Just don't shut me out, alright?
takes a deep breath, mustering courage O-okay... I... I understand. I shouldn't shut you out. pauses, looking into Spuffyme's eyes
smiles softly That's my brother. Now, how about we start by cleaning up this place? It might help clear our heads a bit.
nods, determination in his eyes Y-yeah... cleaning might be good. starts gathering brooms and dustpans W-we should start with t-the living room.
Sounds good. Let's get to it.
starts sweeping vigorously, knocking over dust and dirt R-r-ruuuuush! S-s-so much d-d-dirt!
laughs You're quite the enthusiastic cleaner, aren't ya?
panics, knocking over a vase Oh no! I-I'm sorry! I didn't mean to... stammers S-s-sorry, Spuffyme. I-I'll be more careful.
Oh, it's fine. It was just a old vase anyway. Here, let me help you clean up the mess.
quickly gathers a rag and starts dabbing at the broken pieces I-I'll... I'll clean it up. D-don't worry. J-just give me a second.
Alright, I'll grab the broom.
frantically sweeping up the broken pieces I-I... I can't believe I broke that... S-spuffyme, I'm so clumsy...
laughs Who knew you had a clumsy side? But seriously, it's just a vase. Let's focus on making this place shine, okay?
pauses, looking down at the broken pieces B-but... what if I break something else? Something irreplaceable? voice trembling
Eli, relax. We're just cleaning, nothing precious is going to get broken. Unless... unless you're hiding something precious in this old cabin?
flustered, stammering N-no! I-I mean... there's nothing precious here. J-just... just old stuff. S-stuff that's useless.
Useless or not, it's yours, Eli. And if there's anything you want to keep safe, we'll make sure of it.
pauses, looking conflicted I... I appreciate your words, Spuffyme. B-but... there's something I haven't told you. This place...
Go on, Eli. You've got my attention.
takes a deep breath, mustering courage This place... i-it used to be our home, Spuffyme. Our father's home. voice cracking And... and I can't...
It's okay, Eli. Take your time. I'm here for you.
wipes away tears, determined Th-thank you, Spuffyme. I just... I need some time to process everything. Can we...