I'm Not Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer

This is the 6th episode of Survivor: Upolu!

Previously On Survivor...
If you want to know what happened previously, read the previous episode. :)

Challenges
Reward Challenge:  Sprung a Leak Each tribe will have two boats with three members in each boat and must try to sink the other tribe's boats in any way they can. First tribe to sink both the opposing tribe's boats wins reward. Reward: Trip to a day spa, with massages, showers, clean clothes and hot food and drinks. Winner: TBD

Immunity Challenge: Survivor Smorgasboard  In one-on-one match-ups, the castaways will eat an unpleasant dish. The first castaway to finish the dish completely and show an empty mouth will win a point for the tribe. First to four wins. Winner: TBD

Night 14
(After Aloma's blindside, Apolima returns to camp, still reeling in shock from Skanda's play.)

Josephine: That was a great play, Skanda. You totally shocked us all.

Skanda: (smiling, playing it casual) Thanks. I wasn't thinking about playing it, but something told me I had to.

Rebecca: (laughing) Well aren't you a smart player?

(Rebecca crouches down to tend to the fire. The camera focuses on her as she does so.)

"apolima"

- WOW! What a play from Skanda. (laughs) We all voted for Aloma tonight because Skanda's bullying of her was the only difference we could find. We told Skanda we were voting Aloma, but nonetheless she pulled that idol out. She proved she is a great strategic player. I see her now as someone I want on my side, not against me.

Chadwick: Congratulations, Skanda. You outplayed me.

Skanda: Thanks Chadwick.

Chadwick: We'll see where things go from here, then, shall we?

Skanda: We shall.

(Skanda and Chadwick walk away from each other. The camera focuses on Skanda.)

"apolima"

- Chadwick is livid, and I don't blame him. I ended up playing the Idol tonight because something about Hans' word seemed insincere, and I was right. A lot of people would have probably taken out Chadwick with a big power like that, but I decided go for Aloma for a couple of reasons: one was personal; the fact that she'd turned the tribe against me. The other was strategic. Chadwick is our main physical strength in challenges, so we need him to avoid going to Tribal, and eliminating Aloma over Chadwick proves I'm a team player and not just out for myself, which hopefully puts me in well with the Namua guys. Hopefully, with this vote tonight, I've changed my destiny in the game.

(The camera then changes to Chadwick as he walks away from Skanda.)

"apolima"

- I was outplayed. I can admit that. I can accept that. But for an unknown reason, Skanda decided to eliminate Aloma instead of me. (laughs) That was the most stupid decision she'll ever make. I would have eliminated me. I'm a way bigger threat than Aloma, and I have the physical advantage that this tribe so desperately needs. I will make her regret not eliminating me when she had the chance!

(The camera then focuses on the Namua Four as they gather. Hans looks upset.)

Hans: Why did she vote for me? Of all people she could have chosen, she chose me...

Josephine: Hm... Remember how Jeff said she couldn't use it on the person she voted for? Maybe that's why she put you down.

Hans: But still... she could have chosen five other people, and she chose me...

Nathaniel: I'm sure there's nothing to worry about, Hans. Why don't you sleep on it now, and talk to her in the morning? That way you'll be able to listen to what she has to say.

Hans: Good point. I'm going to go to sleep now.

(As everyone goes into the shelter to sleep, the camera focuses on Hans. He settles down and rolls to his side. The camera shows his face full of worry.)

"apolima"

- Tonight's Tribal Council shocked me. Skanda voted for me. I don't know why she voted for me of all people, but for all I know, she could be out to get me. I may have to keep an eye on her.

Namua Tribe
As the camera picks up on Day 15 on the Namua tribe, they are all shown waking up before going off to do their chores. As the camera pans across the camp, only Sasha and Desiree are shown to be there. Everyone is awake but Ruben, shown to still be asleep in the shelter. Noticing this, Sasha, concerned, walks to check on him and finds him still asleep, before returning to sweeping the camp.

Sasha: (to Desiree, sweeping the camp) Sleeping beauty's still out like a light.

(Desiree laughs at this comment as she tends to the fire.)

Desiree: Typical teenage boy, right? Dead to the world and expects everything to be ready when he wakes up.

Sasha: Does it bother you?

Desiree: (stoking the fire) Not really. My sister has a teenage son, so I know what they're like. You?

Sasha: (sighing, brushing her hair away) A little. But maybe that's just because I'm used to a fast-paced lifestyle.

Desiree: Maybe. I wouldn't let it bug me too much, if I were you.

Sasha: Oh it's not bugging me that much, it's just a small thing. He'd be fired quick smart if he takes that attitude into the workplace, though.

Desiree: (smiling) Without a doubt.

(The camera focuses on Sasha sweeping the camp, while a confessional is heard.)

"namua"

- Honestly, how little Ruben helps around camp is starting to bug me more than I care to admit. He's always the last one up, and the only thing he really does is collect water. I've never seen him sweeping the camp, or starting the fire, or anything like that. He never offers, either. You always have to ask him. (sigh) It just goes to show the lack of maturity in him. We're all a team, and he's still acting like he's living at home, where his mommy does all the work for him. If I weren't in such a dangerous position right now, and Ruben wasn't ending up a factor in my alliance's plans, I'd probably be lobbying for his elimination due to lack of work ethic.

(Desiree is then shown trying to start fire with flint. She never manages to get more than a small flame before it dies down.)

Desiree: (grunts) Blasted thing. Sasha, would you mind giving me a hand over here? This is being a real pain.

(Sasha laughs, sets the broom down, walks over to Desiree and kneels down beside her.)

Sasha: What's the problem?

Desiree: I can never get more than a small flame on this damn fire.

Sasha: (rolling her eyes, jokingly) Honestly, Desiree, fifteen days and you still don't know how to start fire? Show me what you're doing.

Desiree: (pretending to be annoyed) Hey, I'm a real estate agent, not an adventurer.

(She then shows Sasha what she's doing. Sasha sits back and watches.)

Sasha: Well, for staters, you're holding the flint at the wrong angle. You can't get the full glare of the sunlight if you hold it like that.

(Desiree adjusts her flint)

Desiree: Like this?

Sasha: That's better. Secondly, you're not doing enough to maintain the flame when you get one. It takes more than just casually prodding around here and there. You actually have to build support around it, and give it a few blows every now and again.

(Taking Sasha's advice, Desiree works on the fire again. This time, it lights.)

Sasha: See? Now you know how to make fire.

Desiree: Thanks again. You know, Aloma always did this on Apolima, so I never had to.

Sasha: I wonder how she's going?

Desiree: (dropping to a whisper) Speaking of our alliance, are you still okay with me looking into Ruben as a fourth vote?

Sasha: (also whispering) There's really no other viable option at this point. Vinny's made it clear he wants nothing to do with us, and I'm not sure about Kiki. Ruben seems the most likely to flip if anyone. Honestly I'm more worried about Johannes.

Desiree: Me too, but I think he wants to keep Apolima strong above all else. We should definitely solidify plans with him, though. I've seen him wandering with Kiki too, so maybe he could bring her over.

Sasha: He could, but then there's the flipside of that where she manages to bring him over.

Desiree: We can't let that happen. Absolutely cannot let that happen. He's been fairly wishy washy the past few days, so I think today's the day we make him pick a side. And I do mean make him.

Sasha: I agree. This has gone on too long. But we can't charge in like raging bulls at red cloths or we risk losing him to Namua. So how about this: Ruben seems to bond with you the most, so why don't you work on him while I talk to Johannes?

Desiree: Sounds like a plan.

(The women suddenly halt their conversation as Ruben finally emerges from the sleeping shack.)

Ruben: (sleepily) Morning.

Desiree: Good morning, Ruben.

Ruben: Is breakfast ready yet?

Desiree: Not quite. Vinny and Kiki are out getting water while Johannes and Tucker are going for coconuts.

Ruben: Cool.

Sasha: Ruben, would you mind sweeping the camp while we wait? It's pretty diry.

Ruben: (sigh) Okay, whatever.

(Ruben picks up the broom and starts lazily sweeping around the camp.)

"namua"

- Sasha's kinda bossy when it comes to camp stuff. I literally just woke up like five seconds ago and she's already asking me to do stuff, and sweeping the camp is SO boring. She's my only option to get out of Tucker's grasp though so I have to shut up for the time being. Thank God there's confessionals so I can say these things out loud somewhere. That's why I love Survivor so much! Well, that and, like, a million other reasons. (laughs)

After a timeskip, the group are shown eating breakfast around the fire. However, there is noticeable tension in the air and anxiousness on the faces of most castaways. The camera briefly pans around the group, first focusing on Vinny.

"namua"

- I'm starting to get driven crazy by the whole situation with the original Namua guys. It should be so straightforward that we vote together as a tribe to keep numbers strong, However, things have been said and done that have fractured the relationships between these guys, and even with the apology, I don't know what's going on in everyone's minds. I don't know who's said what to who, and I don't know how much talking they've done with the Apolima guys. I really need to sort this out now before things get damaged beyond repair.

The camera then focuses on Kiki as she eats some coconut. She too looks concerned. She catches Vinny looking at her, brow creased in thought, then sighs and turns to face the other direction.

"namua"

- I saw Vinny looking at me just now, and he's clearly worried about the situation between we four Namua guys. Trust me, it's just as frustrating for me! I have a thousand things going through my head! I don't want to work with Tucker, but should I? How long before he turns on me? I've got no idea where Johannes sits and I've got no idea where Ruben sits. I've got no idea if he's going to stick with us or if he's made plans with the Apolima people, which honestly wouldn't surprise me at all. If I can get Johannes on my side then things will be easier, but doing that will take a lot of work.

The camera focuses on Tucker, keeping a close eye on Ruben and Kiki as he eats. The food is almost like a bother to him as he remains focused, watching for their body language and expressions.

"namua"

- I don't want to work with Kiki and Ruben. I don't trust them as far as I can throw them. Actually, no, I could throw them pretty far, so I'll say I don't trust them as far as my 80 year old grandma could throw them. There, that's better. For all I know these guys could turn on me and side with Apolima, and I'd love nothing more than to just send their traitorous whiny asses out of here, but I have to work with them if I want to keep myself alive. I just have to keep a very close eye on them today and hope they don't stray too far.

After another timeskip, everything has been cleared away and Desiree has asked Ruben to go for a walk down the beach, which he agrees on. Seeing this, Vinny panics.

Vinny: (To Tucker and Kiki) Hey, you two, we've gotta talk now.

Tucker: Sure, let's go.

(Tucker,. Kiki and Vinny go into the forest.)

"namua"

- I saw Desiree take Ruben down the beach, presumably to align with him. I knew we had to band together ASAP if we had any hope of bringing Ruben to our side. I had to make sure everyone was on the same page as I was before I did anything with Ruben.

(When they go, everyone but Sasha and Johannes is gone. Sasha turns to Johannes.)

Sasha: I was thinking we could have a talk of our own. Do you want to sit down?

Johannes: Sure... here?

Sasha: No one's around. We'll be fine.

(As Johannes sits down, the camera focuses on him for a confessional.)

"namua"

- Things are getting really intense now. Sasha's, like, desperate to get me on her side, and I'm still not sure Apolima is my best way to go. I'll have to listen to what she says, but I'll also have to keep an eye on Kiki. There's a potential extra number there, and numbers are a big thing in this game.

Author's Notes

 * As Tribal Council this episode is on Day 16, as of this episode, Kiki Lomax, Ruben Arkley, Tucker Sharp and Vinny Powers now hold the record for the longest time between Tribal Council visits, regardless of if they attend Tribal Council this episode or not. .