Noodle's Retreat
Chapter 2
About three hours had passed since Noodle and Rie rode off. Noodle, bored of being out at sea for three hours, pulled her phone and ear buds out of her pocket to listen to some music. Rie was singing various Gorillaz songs. Noodle was deep in thought as the music played through her ear buds. Negative thought. What if 2-D and Murdoc eventually find out? What if something happened to her or Rie? But luckily, those negative thoughts faded and Noodle basked in her new found freedom.
At about 5:30 PM, they arrived at the island. "Well, um...this island is a lot more civilized than I thought." Rie remarked. "Well, of course it is." Noodle replied. "But the boys have never been here before." Noodle grabbed her suitcase. "Well, I will be leaving. See you soon." "Wait, Noodle." Rie said. "May I stay with you?" Noodle thought about it for a few seconds. "Sure." She held out her hand to help Rie off the boat.
Meanwhile, back at the studio, Murdoc was still asleep, Russel was playing a video game, and 2-D was watching him. 2-D seemingly recovered from his head wound. "Russ, are ya mad at me?" he asked. "Nah, man." Russel answered. "You're good. Murdoc is a whole other story, but I'll deal with him later." "I hope Noodle's doin' alright. She's still in 'er room, right?" 2-D asked. This concerned Russel. He was worried one of the two would ask about Noodle. "Noodle is...in her room." Russel fibbed. "And she don't want anyone comin' in there." "Really now? Alrighty then." 2-D said. Russel sighed in relief; 2-D totally bought his little white lie, and eventually fell asleep. Russel paused his game and headed to Noodle's room.
He opened up her door, reached in to lock the door from her room, and closed the door. "That oughta buy me some time." he said to himself. But he had to further distract 2-D and Murdoc. Back at the island, Noodle and Rie were looking for a place to stay. "I want something affordable, but sanitary." Noodle explained. "I didn't bring a whole lot of money." "No need to worry, Noodle!" Rie said. "I actually live here, you can stay at my place!" "Really? Thank you so much, Rie!" Rie smiled and then pulled out her phone. "I'll get us a ride." she said, as she contacted someone. "My friend Jerika will come get us." About a half an hour later, they got in the car and told Jerika to take them to Rie's house. "Again, thank you, Rie." said Noodle. "I am so happy you came through for me." "It's no trouble, dear." Rie said. Soon enough, they reached Rie's house and got out of the car. "Thanks, Jerika!" Rie said, waving goodbye. "Bye, Rie!" Jerika called from inside the car. Then she drove off. "I hope the boys are doing alright." Noodle said. "But I must not focus on that at the moment." Rie pulled her keys from her pocket to unlock the door. When they got inside, Noodle was pleasantly surprised. "Ah, your home is beautiful." she said, looking around. "It's very cozy."
Noodle walked over to an armchair in the living room and flopped down onto it. Rie sat on the couch across from her. "Well, now that we're here, let's talk about Gorillaz." she said. "Is it true you wrote the entire Demon Days album?" Noodle nodded. "It is very true. I was about 14 at the time." Rie was still super excited to meet Noodle in person. "Wow, okay, this is so exciting." she said. "Um, do you want some tea? You look thirsty" "Sure." Noodle answered. When Rie went to the kitchen to make some tea, Noodle quickly pulled out her phone to text Russel.
I'm safe. <3
Noodle turned on the TV to occupy her time while she waited for the tea to be finished. She turned on a channel playing a talk show, as nothing good was really on at the time. A few seconds later, her phone began to ring. She quickly picked it back up. "Hello?" "It's Russel." "Wh-where are you?!" "I'm in my room." "Where are the boys?" "Murdoc's asleep. 2-D too. I locked your bedroom door." "Ok goo-" Noodle was interrupted by the faint sound of more glass breaking. "What was tha-" "I gotta go, Noodle." "Russ-" Russel hung up. "Rude..."
Soon, Rie came back out of the kitchen with two cups of lemon tea and a plate of scones. "You made scones too?" Noodle said. "How thoughtful." Rie placed the plate of scones and the cups of tea on the coffee table. Noodle took a cup. "So, do you have any plans for today, Rie?" she asked. "Not that I know of." Rie answered. "Do you have anything in mind?" Noodle thought for a bit. "Well, are there any fun places here?" "There's a bunch of pop-up shops in the square." Rie said. "Plus the restaurants here are four and a half stars." Noodle was pretty hungry; she had only eaten two bites of onigiri at breakfast time. "Let's go find somewhere to eat." "Good call!" Rie said in response.
Rie and Noodle got up, Rie grabbed her car keys, and Noodle followed her to the front door. The two girls got inside Rie's car, which seemed to be brand new. "This car is nice." Noodle said. "Yeah, I got it as a gift for my 23rd birthday last month!" Rie replied. She started the car and turned on the radio, which was playing alternative rock. "Oh, I totally forgot to tell you!" she said, remembering something. "This place is called Riverpeak." Noodle liked the sound of that. "Riverpeak...it has a nice ring to it."
At the studio, yet another fight occurred. "I have no time for the likes of you!" Murdoc shouted. "Y'disturbed my nap!" 2-D ducked as a plate went flying above his head. "Please, no more!" he shouted. "I'm beggin' ya!" Murdoc was about to through another plate but stopped himself. "...fine. I'll let you off th'hook this time." 2-D wiped his brow and sighed in relief. Murdoc stomped away in a huff and went to the kitchen to grab a beer. Suddenly, Russel came into the scene. "Where've you been, Russ?" 2-D asked. "I was in the bathroom." Russel answered. "Did you and Murdoc get into another fight?" 2-D nodded. "Well, it was mostly Murdoc. He started it." Russel groaned. "Listen, we gotta do somethin' about all this." "What're you on about, Russ?" Russel went to the kitchen. "Follow me."
"Hey, Murdoc." Russel said, trying to get Murdoc's attention. Russel turned slowly, beer bottle in hand. "What d'you two want?" "Listen, if y'all continue fighting, it's just gonna create more problems." Murdoc grumbled. "Do you see us fighting, Russ?!" "I know you two ain't fighting now." Russel answered. "But I don't want anymore chaos. Neither does Noodle." Murdoc took a swig from his beer. "Where is that girl, anyway?" Russel's eyes widened. "Sh-she's in her room, havin' some alone time." he said. "Don't want anyone comin' in there." 2-D nodded. "Yeah! She's... she's nappin'!" Murdoc looked at them for a few seconds. Russel was worried Murdoc wouldn't buy his story. "...right. I hope she comes around soon." Russel and 2-D both sighed. Russel then whispered in 2-D's ear; he had a plan. "Really now?" 2-D said quietly. "I like that idea." Russel and 2-D walked over to Murdoc.
"Tell you what, why don't we go out." Russel said. "Y'know, get a nice meal, hang out at the bar." Murdoc perked up. "Are you suggestin' a night out?" he said, getting excited. "I can already taste the lady acti-" "We-we get the idea, Murdoc." Russel interrupted. "Sound like a plan?" Murdoc gulped down the last of his beer and stood right up. "Get ya lady-killin' duds on." he said. "We're goin' for a boys night out!" 2-D clumsily ran to his bedroom, and Russel went to his own room.
Rie and Noodle were singing along to Gorillaz songs playing on the AUX cord. "Your voice is even more heavenly in person, Noodle!" Rie said, awestruck. Noodle giggled and blushed a little. "Ah, that is so sweet." Noodle rolled down her window to feel the breeze flow through her hair. She was finally able to experience true peace. Fifteen minutes later, the two girls reached a cafe, which was fairly populated. "This is the most talked-about restaurant in Riverpeak." Rie said. "Tienne Lief Cafe." The cafe had multiple tables, each with a large umbrella, lights strung, and a wonderful aroma. Noodle and Rie got out of the car. Noodle took a deep sniff; the scent was divine. "I bet the scent is what attracts people to the cafe?" Noodle said. "That's one way." Rie responded, winking. Between the aroma, the string lights and the liveliness, Noodle couldn't decide what part of the cafe she adored most.