Vincent (to Delia, Leon & Ripper): Hey, DD crew. I just wanted to let you know I'm back in town. :-)
Delia (to Vincent): Well that's good news. Did you get your thing worked out?
Ripper (to Vincent): That's fantastic! Did you get everything sorted out?
Vincent (to Ripper & Delia): I hope so. Only time will tell, so fingers crossed. In the meantime, it looks like I'll need another job.
Delia (to Vincent): Whhhhhy? Sasha didn't fire you did he?
Vincent (to Delia): I should hope not! I mean, it looks like I'll be taking a break from the wild world of antiques for a while.
Ripper (to Vincent): Well, I'm sure that'll be a relief to Eep & your sister. They were no doubt worried about you. I know Delia & I were worried and we were only on the periphery.
Delia (to Vincent): Hmmm. I'm not too sure that's a bad thing. We'll find you something else. And Ripper is right, we were worried.
Vincent (to Ripper & Delia): I know. I'm sorry. Despite all evidence to the contrary, I do try not to be such a pain in the patoot.
Ripper (to Vincent): Well, I'm just glad you're okay. As for the job, I'm sure something will present itself.
Vincent (to Ripper): More or less OK. I'm not too worried about a job just yet. I have enough saved that I should be fine on just my Drac's salary for a couple of months.
Ripper (to Vincent): Wait... you don't sound all that alright to me... Are you sure everything is okay, Captain?
Vincent (to Ripper): Don't I? Huh. Well. I thought I was doing a pretty good job of maintaining. It's more than a little complicated. I can't really explain all of it, but Mouse isn't really speaking to me at the mo.
Ripper (to Vincent): Oh well, that certainly explains why she & Eep had been acting strangely at work this past weekend. She barely spoke to any of us, but was gregarious and friendly to the crowd & Eep kept checking on her periodically.
Vincent (to Ripper): Yeah... Anyway, I've got to skedaddle. I've got a Dr.'s appointment to keep. See you later, Professor. Thanks for listening.
Ripper (to Vincent): Sure, any time... It was nothing... really.
A couple hours later:
Eep (to Mouse): Hey pretty lady. How's your headache doing?
Mouse (to Eep): I think it finally went away about an hour ago and then the upstairs neighbors started playing basketball or something... I'm trying really hard to not march up there and yell at them, as it's daytime & I'm sure I'm just overreacting.
Eep (to Mouse): Heh. The joys of communal living. Try to threatening the neighbors 'til I get home. :p Though it was pretty hilarious when you pulled a bat on those missionaries that knocked on the door yesterday morning…
Mouse (to Eep): Hey, they deserved it... knocking on the door at 7am. I used to be nice to them, but they'd just come back. How are you? How's work?
Eep (to Mouse): I'm trying REALLY hard to give a shit about yogurt. I'm failing.
Mouse (to Eep): I know, sweetie, I'd offer to let you be a kept man, but I don't want to insult you. :-)
Eep (to Mouse): Ha ha! What? A kept man? What does that entail? Would there be a hat?
Mouse (to Eep): Only, if you want there to be... I was just thinking how much I like having you here with me & how I'll miss it when you move back in next door. I mean, I know you're only next door, but it's been nice playing house with you. Even, if the reason you moved in isn't all that pleasant.
Eep (to Mouse): Oh, uh, yeah. It has. We should, um, try it again. After things calm down a bit. You know.
Mouse (to Eep): Oh yeah, sure.
Eep (to Mouse): Uh, not that I'm moving out tomorrow, you know.
Mouse (to Eep): Oh, that's good, because the thought of being alone at night kinda terrifies me.
Eep (to Mouse): I know, Killer. I can hang out as long as you want me around. I wish I knew what else to do for you.
Mouse (to Eep): I know... But, you being around helps, believe me. I just need to figure out how to stop feeling so angry & crazy. Can you do me a favor? I know it's going to be weird that I ask this, but well, I still love the little lunkhead... Could you make sure Vincent is okay? I mean, I can't be there for him, but someone should & since you know everything. You're sadly the best candidate. And, hell, you really are his best friend.
Eep (to Mouse): Yeah. Course! And it's not weird you're asking. I, uh, I was actually gonna stop by after work just to see.
Mouse (to Eep): See, it's moments like this, that makes me wonder how you got a reputation for being such a surly bastard. Don't worry, I won't tell anyone. :-)
Eep (to Mouse): Don't be fooled. I'm still a surly bastard. I just have a high tolerance level for some people. Even if you tried to make people think different, who would believe you?
Mouse (to Eep): And, I am so incredibly grateful for that fact. Besides, I don't want to tell anyone... then I'd have to share. :-)
Eep (to Mouse): Yeah. I don't think you have to be too worried about that. (to Vincent) Hey. How are you doing?
Vincent (to Eep): Oh. Hi, Slim. I just got home. I'm alright.
Eep (to Vincent): I'm headed home from work now. Do you mind if I stop by?
Vincent (to Eep): Oh. No. Of course not. Is something wrong? Is Mouse OK?
Eep (to Vincent): What? Oh, yeah. Everything's fine. I just wanted to check on you. I'll see you in a few,
Three hours later:
Eep (to Mouse): Hey. I should be home soon. Your brother just took a painkiller, and looks like he's about to pass out.
Mouse (to Eep): Oh ok. How is he? Is he really in that bad of a shape?
Eep (to Mouse): He went to the doctor today. He's got some torn ligaments, and his arm's in a sling.
Mouse (to Eep): Oh, poor guy. I know how much that hurts...
Eep (to Mouse): Yeah. He mentioned you said you knew how to relocate it. He mentioned that a couple of times, actually. He kept insisting it was fine, and that he'd had worse, but he looked pretty rough.
Mouse (to Eep): Did he think Smythe dislocated my shoulder? If so, he's an idiot... I dislocated in high school during a play, it was an accident I had to have the school nurse pop it back in and she showed me how to do it, because she said it may do it again...
Eep (to Mouse): I don't know if that's what he thought or not. He just kept mentioning it.
Mouse (to Eep): Yeah, he has had worse... but I was there for him... So, other than looking like he was run over several times. How is he?
Eep (to Mouse): I dunno. Not doing too good, I think. He's pretty upset. He didn't really wanna talk to me about it at first. Then he started to a little bit, and just ended up crying his eyes out.
Mouse (to Eep): Well, he should be upset... He was an idiot. He has tendency to make reckless, selfish decisions and inevitably someone gets hurt. And, he thinks he's being smart about it.
Eep (to Mouse): Yeah. He's an idiot and a stupid kid. BELIEVE me, I don't disagree.
Mouse (to Eep): I sense a but coming...
Eep (to Mouse): I dunno. Honestly, I just don't know. I wanna be pissed at him. REALLY pissed, but... ehhhhh. Like I said. I dunno. And... Well, part of me feels like this is as much my fault as his, you know?
Mouse (to Eep): You hadn't been keeping this secret from me for years, this is just like the whole Asher thing... I know he did more than kiss him, I am not an idiot. I've lived with him long enough to know the signs. But, he didn't tell me the truth. And, everything with Poppy. He lies to me and to himself... I almost wish that I'd never found him on my porch.
Eep (to Mouse): Yeah? Come on, Killer. I know you're hurt, and I'm sorry, but I don't for one second believe that you mean that. I know I'm not, like, the best person to ask about family shit, but, you can't be mad at him for lying to you about Asher. I mean, you CAN, but... fuck. I wanna lie about the creep, and I'm like a decade older than him. As for Poppy... Fuck. I don't think he's figured that one out for himself yet. He's stupid and young and confused and tries to act older than he is.
Mouse (to Eep): I know I don't mean it, that's why I said almost... but I don't know what to do. Did you know that in the six years he lived with me, I never once asked him to tell me anything about his "real" family?
Eep (to Mouse): No? How come?
Mouse (to Eep): I always thought he'd tell me about them when he was comfortable & trusted me. And that's why all of this is so upsetting to me. He says I'm the person he trusts more than anyone, but clearly he doesn't. He had lived with me for six months when I told him about the accident and Greg. That's not something that I generally like to tell people about.
Eep (to Mouse): I don't know, Killer. I knew Vincent for years. I didn't even know Vincent wasn't his name.
Mouse (to Eep): I know, I just keep waiting for the other shoe to drop... like, I don't know, he's from the future, he's an alien, this has all been some elaborate test...
Eep (to Mouse): Ha ha ha! Oh God... I'm sorry. It's just... Vincent being an alien would almost make sense!
Mouse (to Eep): So, do you think I'm being unreasonable?
Eep (to Mouse): No... Maybe. Honestly? I don't know. I don't know why Vincent won't talk to you. I don't know what he's afraid of. I think you should talk to him.
Mouse (to Eep): You're right... again. When did you get to be so insightful?
Eep (to Mouse): Uhhhh... Never? Insightful isn't a word I'd use. It's just way easier to tell someone else why they're fucked up than to figure it out about yourself. Um, I was kidding, by the way. :p
Mouse (to Eep): Well, joke or not, it's probably true. :-) (to Vincent) Hey, how you feeling?
Vincent (to Mouse): Hey, hun. OK. Eep made me take one of these painkillers, so, I feel... nauseous, actually.
Mouse (to Vincent): Make sure you drink some ginger ale & have a couple crackers, you always get a little queasy from those things.
Vincent (to Mouse): Yeah. I will.
Mouse (to Vincent): So, is there a reason you won't talk to me? Do you want me to stay mad at you?
Vincent (to Mouse): God. No! Of course not. You know I can't stand it when you're mad at me. What do you want to know?
Mouse (to Vincent): I want to know, why you won't talk to me? About anything. You say I'm the person you trust the most, but I'm feeling like that's never been the case. I've told you everything & if I haven't it isn't because I didn't want to... Simply, I didn't think it was necessary.
Vincent (to Mouse): I didn't know you felt that way.
Mouse (to Vincent): I just wish you'd talk to somebody... I'm beginning to suspect that the only person you really talked to was Poppy. I don't expect you to tell me everything, but I feel like you kept more things from me than I thought.
Vincent (to Mouse): I know I keep saying this, but I do trust you. I'm sorry I don't talk to you. Oh... Well. You're right. I don't really talk to anyone. Poppy was... well, she was different for a lot of reasons.
Mouse (to Vincent): So... that's it? You don't have anything else you want to say to me?
Vincent (to Mouse): No. No! God, explaining myself sounds so ridiculous. It's just, well, I know how lucky I am. I know how most kids whose stories start like mine end. I didn't want to be a bigger burden on you then I already am. Why do you think I moved out of your apt as soon as I was able?
Mouse (to Vincent): Sweetie, I've never thought of you as a burden. Not ever.
Vincent (to Mouse): I know. But I didn't want you to start thinking of me as one either. And I know I keep fucking up. I can't even begin to wrap my head around how HUGELY I cocked up this last time.
Mouse (to Vincent): Would you do me a favor and just stop thinking that you can handle things on your own? I know you're capable of it, but just tell me what you're doing so I don't have to worry.
Vincent (to Mouse): Yeah. I can. I owe you that much at least. I love you, hun. And if you want to know anything, just ask. I'm going to try to be more open.
Mouse (to Vincent): Could please stop acting like a kicked puppy? It's very hard to stay mad at you when you seem so pitiful...
Vincent (to Mouse): Ha ha ha! I can try. No promises, though.
Mouse (to Vincent): Well, that's something, I suppose.
Vincent (to Mouse): So... I'm not saying you have to forgive me, but are we on speaking terms again at least?
Mouse (to Vincent): Yes, I'm still upset with you, but I have missed you.
Vincent (to Mouse): Oh thank God! I missed you too.
An hour or so later:
Poppy (to Vincent): Hey honey, I hope you're doing okay? I have an odd question for you... Is your sister there, safe & sound?
Vincent (to Poppy): Uh, she is. I saw her last night and spoke to her on the phone less than an hour ago. Why? What's going on, hun? Is everything OK?
Poppy (to Vincent): It's probably nothing, honey. We had word that someone matching her description was wandering around one of the portals but if she's home, then it was probably just an error on the part of the witness.
Vincent (to Poppy): What?! (to Mouse) Hun, you're home safe and sound, right? Oh please say yes...
Mouse (to Vincent): Yeah, where else would I be?
Vincent (to Mouse): Oh thank heavens. I thought I was about to stop. Poppy contacted me and said there was a report of someone matching your description wandering around one of the portal sites. It must have been a false alarm.
Mouse (to Vincent): It must be, I've been here all day. Did Poppy say anything else?
Vincent (to Mouse): No. I know. I know. Clearly, I'm a bit paranoid. Or loopy from these painkillers. She just asked me if you were home safe.
Mouse (to Vincent): Well, I'm okay, so no need to worry. You can tell her I'm fine.
Vincent (to Mouse): OK. You're right. You're OK. I'll let Poppy know. (to Poppy) I just verified my sister is home and safe.
Poppy (to Vincent): Well, that's good to know... but, doesn't answer the mystery. Probably just a mistake, honey. Sorry to worry you.
Vincent (to Poppy): Let me know if you need any help, hun.
Poppy (to Vincent): Thank you, honey, I'm not sure what you can do from that side, but the offer is appreciated.
Vincent (to Poppy): Heh. I guess not, huh?
Poppy (to Vincent): Gone for only one day & you already miss the adventure, honey? Not to worry, our mutual friend & the Davenports have been concocting a scheme to get a portal open...
Vincent (to Poppy): Actually, even if the portals reopen, I'm considering retiring from the business all together.
Poppy (to Vincent): Oh.
Vincent (to Poppy): We'll see. G'night, hun.
