Vincent (to Eep): You're awake, aren't you?
Eep (to Vincent): Uh, yeah. Mouse is still sleeping, though. She, uh, she was having trouble getting to sleep while it was dark out.
Vincent (to Eep): I'm not surprised. Stay with her for me. I'm going to go to the Old Piedmont, & make sure the portal is still closed on our end.
Eep (to Vincent): What?! By yourself?! Well, that's a shitty idea. You've still only got one arm!
Vincent (to Eep): Both my arms work well enough. Dr. Addison just put it in a sling so I didn't dislocate it again, & so the tendons would heal. I can use it if I have to. Besides, I'm not planning on using it. I'm just going to scan the area. I'll barely get out of my car.
Emmett Davenport (to Vincent): Greetings, Vincent, I just wanted to let you know that Poppy's okay, we've got her up and running again... sort of.
Vincent (to Emmett Davenport): Well, that's good news. Dare I ask what "sort of" entails?
Emmett Davenport (to Vincent): Well, her body was damaged pretty badly, so Klaude needs to keep working on it & in the meantime we gave her a spare... and well, we only had a male body handy.... so she's in that while Klaude repairs her. She's not very happy about it. But, at least she's walking around & functioning properly.
Vincent (to Emmett Davenport): Oh dear. I don't imagine she would be. Poor moppet! Thank heavens she's alright. Thank you for letting me know. I'm about to scan our old crossover point to see if it looks like the portals are open on our side. I'll let you know if I pick anything up.
Emmett Davenport (to Vincent): Well, give Poppy a wave, she's over at that portal on our side taking readings, she may still be there...
An hour or so later:
Vincent (to Poppy): Hey, hun. How are you holding up?
Poppy (to Vincent): God, honey, I'm happy to be up and moving around but this is just awkward... my center of gravity is different. My feet are huge, none of my clothes fit correctly. I mean, it's a dainty sized body, but still... I hope Klaude gets my old one fixed soon or else, I'm going to have to buy a new wardrobe and learn all sorts of things...
Vincent (to Poppy): Well, I'm sure you're still adorable.
Poppy (to Vincent): Well, honey, that just goes without saying...
Vincent (to Poppy): Are you still taking readings at the portal? I'm on the other side doing the same. Want me to wave to you? ;-}
Poppy (to Vincent): Yes, honey, I'm still here. I'm getting some strange readings on this side, what's it look like on your end?
Vincent (to Poppy): The readings are just odd. It doesn't seem like anyone has accessed this point since Eep and Mouse went through... But two days ago, I wasn't getting any readings AT ALL, and it still seems to be closed. I'm not able to cross.
Poppy (to Vincent): Well, it's looking like it may be active on this side... hmmmm, I'm going to check something... I'm throwing a stick.
Vincent (to Poppy): Oh hell! It came through. What's this you've tied on the end of it?
Poppy (to Vincent): Just pull on it, honey...
Vincent (to Poppy): Hun, that's going to have to go on the list of things you can't really say while in a boy's body... Heaving away!
Poppy (to Vincent): Oh, I'll start a list...
Vincent (to Poppy): Poppy? Is that... That's YOU, isn't it?
Poppy (to Vincent): Hey, honey...
Vincent (to Poppy): How did... Why can't I... Oh good heavens. I need to sit down.
Poppy (to Vincent): Well, it looks like the portal is only working one-way right now. Shoot. It's probably only a matter of time before it opens completely. I've got one of the sensor alarms... I'm going to set it up, so it'll trigger if anyone else steps through. That was completely dumb on my part... I'm going to need to let the Davenports know. Are you okay, honey?
Vincent (to Poppy): I'm just in shock, I think. I suppose I was expecting too much to hope Smythe would have stayed trapped forever. Good heavens. You know as soon as he can find a way, he'll be through. You were probably safer on the other side, hun. Not to mention, you're stuck in that body until we can get you back. At least you're totes adorbz.
Poppy (to Vincent): Thanks, honey, I look like I'm a sixteen year old boy... I'm never going to get a drink. damn it. That is one of the dumbest things I've ever done... I'm a bit surprised at myself.
Vincent (to Poppy): Hee hee. Join the club. It's a good thing you know a bartender, then, isn't it? Did you give up your apartment when you switched places with me? Do you have somewhere to stay?
Poppy (to Vincent): Yes, honey, I did give up the apartment & even if I hadn't, I doubt the doorman would let me in looking like this. I'll get a hotel room for the meantime... Oh, I'm going to need a name, I don't think Poppy's going to work.
Vincent (to Poppy): I'm afraid not, Mr. Meriwether. You can always stay with me for the time being if you need to, hun.
Poppy (to Vincent): That's a very nice offer, honey, thank you... And, just call me Percy Meriwether, Mister Potter.
Vincent (to Poppy, now Percy): Percy... This is going to take some getting used to. Are you able to lower your voice? You still sound like a Poppy.
Percy (to Vincent): Oh yeah, of course... ummm, how's this sound?
Vincent (to Percy): Oh my... You're going to be getting a whole different kind of attention, Pop--, I mean, Percy.
Percy (to Vincent): Good attention I hope, honey...
Vincent (to Percy): As if there was a doubt. I just hope your employers aren't too upset with you.
Percy (to Vincent): Oh, the Davenport's are pretty forgiving when it comes to dumb things, they do them all of the time...
Vincent (to Percy): That reminds me, I should let my sister know... (to Mouse) Hey, sweetie. Are you awake yet?
Percy (to Vincent): Oh god, honey, I cannot wait to see the look on her face.
Mouse (to Vincent): Yeah, I just woke up... What's going on? Are you okay?
Vincent (to Mouse): Don't worry! I'm OK. I was checking the crossover point at the Old Piedmont. Um, do you want the bad news or weird news first?
Mouse (to Vincent): Oh geez, the bad stuff first, I guess?
Vincent (to Mouse): The portal is open on Smythe's side. We can't crossover to where he is, but he can come here.
Mouse (to Vincent): Oh well, that's just wonderful... what's the weird news?
Vincent (to Mouse): Poppy is here with me. In a manner of speaking. Her body is being repaired, so she's in a loaner. Until the portal opens on our side, she'll be going by Percy.
Mouse (to Vincent): What does that mean? Does she look different? Do I wanna know why?
Vincent (to Mouse): Different is an understatement! The only chassis the Davenports had available was male.
Mouse (to Vincent): HAHAHA! ... Wait, really? Oh god, this isn't some weird, twisted game of perv chicken, is it?
Vincent (to Mouse): No. Not even a little.
Mouse (to Vincent): So, Poppy is now Percy? Okay... that's going to take some getting used to. Um, how are you handling it?
Vincent (to Mouse): Tell me about it. I don't think it's all sunk in just yet. I offered to let her, uh, him stay with me for right now.
Mouse (to Vincent): Does she, I mean he, need a place to stay? What is... Percy going to tell people about who he is, where he came from, etc?
Vincent (to Mouse): It's probably easiest just to tell people this is Poppy's brother, visiting from out of town.
Mouse (to Vincent): That'll work... Should I tell Eep or do you want to?
Vincent (to Mouse): Would you mind, sweetie? This is all just... Very confusing.
Mouse (to Vincent): Of course... this is going to be an odd conversation.
An hour or so later:
Eep (to Vincent): So... Poppy's in a guy body right now?
Vincent (to Eep): Until we can get her, er, get him back to the Davenports and her old body.
Eep (to Vincent): Huh. Alright then.
Vincent (to Eep): That's all you're going to say about it? I was expecting more of a reaction.
Eep (to Vincent): Uh, well yeah. It's still POPPY in there, no matter what kinda body she's wrapped in. I'll just have to remember to call her, what is it? Percy? She CHOSE Percy? Really? Christ!
Vincent (to Mouse): Your boyfriend... He didn't bat a lash at Poppy temporarily being a "he." Instead he chose to fixate on the name Percy.
Mouse (to Vincent): Yeah, he's silly like that...
Vincent (to Mouse): I no longer know what to think about anything or anyone anymore. Officially. I meant to mention this earlier, Pop--PERCY put an alarm at the crossover point, so we should be alerted if anyone uses it. Between that and the alarm at your house, and Otto, you and Eep should be well protected.
Mouse (to Vincent): That's good to know. And, well, Eep's just adapting to the weird stuff... after awhile, it just seems common place.
Vincent (to Mouse): I suppose so. In the Grand Scheme of Everything That's Happened, I suppose this isn't really all that odd for anyone else.
Mouse (to Vincent): Yeah, think about it... you were an interdimensional air pirate, your best friend & sister were kidnapped by a madman, your sister's cat is now a big bully that smokes... really your ex-girlfriend is now a boy doesn't seem all that odd. See, and you thought we couldn't handle all of this weird stuff... shame on you!
Vincent (to Mouse): Hee hee. Oh dear. You're right. I shall never doubt your ability to process the batshit again. :-P I think this would be a little easier to process, if she weren't so damned good-looking as a lad. Good heavens!
Mouse (to Vincent): Well, just think of Percy as a different person and not as Poppy, that might help.
Vincent (to Mouse): I live in hope.
Four hours later:
Percy (to Vincent): Honey, I don't know if I can do this... apparently, my normally witty remarks just got me slapped in the face by a woman wearing stretchpants... stretchpants, for god's sake! What is this the 1980's?
Vincent (to Percy): Oh hun... I'm so sorry. You have to remember you're a lad now. What did you say? You can't get away with the same level of verbal sauciness to which you're accustomed.
Percy (to Vincent): I just said that I thought, maybe, it was the stretch pants that were making her feel like an idiot. I mean, she kept asking me if I was busy later and then giggling like an idiot, heck, she even called herself one... I was just trying to buy some clothes... I don't get it.
Vincent (to Percy): Oh dear! She was flirting with you, hun. That's how some ladies express their interest. I warned you that you were going to get a whole lot of attention to which you weren't accustomed.
Percy (to Vincent): Oh. OH... But, I don't like girls. This is going to be harder than I thought... I am going to have to pay for my drinks from now on, aren't I?
Vincent (to Percy): Unless you're in a gay bar, hun. Don't worry. Come into Drac's tonight with me, and I'll pick up your tab. It's the least I can do.
Percy (to Vincent): That's sweet, honey, but do you really think it's a good idea?
Vincent (to Percy): Oh... No. You're right. It's probably not. I was sure I could behave like a gentleman. But our history together begs to differ. Sorry, hun.
Percy (to Vincent): Oh honey, I wasn't worried about you. I was more concerned about my own behavior. Still getting used to being a boy... Wait, honey, do you actually like me like this?
Vincent (to Percy): Ohhhhh dear... Me and this big mouth of mine.
Percy (to Vincent): Oh... I have no words, honey.
Vincent (to Percy): Good heavens! I'm so sorry, hun, but I AM still attracted to you, I AM bi, & you ARE adorable no matter what your gender.
Percy (to Vincent): Well, I'll make sure to wear something appropriate tonight. ;-)
Vincent (to Percy): I... Oh dear. I just got myself in trouble, didn't I?
Percy (to Vincent): You say trouble as if that's a bad thing, honey...
A few hours later:
Ripper: Getting ready to deejay on my own tonight... This should be interesting.
Mouse (to Eep): How's the club? I'm feeling a little stir crazy...
Eep (to Mouse): OK. Weird without you. Ripper seems to be doing OK DJing, and Vincent's managing. "Percy" just showed up.
Mouse (to Eep): Well that's good. So, what does Percy look like or should I just come & see for myself?
Eep (to Mouse): Kinda like Poppy in drag. Hearing her talk in a deep voice is FREAKY though. You gotta see this.
Mouse (to Eep): Oh god, I'll be right there...
Vincent (to Ripper): You're doing fine, Professor. Better than I am at any rate. I may need to learn to balance glasses on my head.
Ripper (to Vincent): ... Huh... Sorry, I was distracted by the boi that just walked in.
Vincent (to Ripper): That's Percy. Good heavens... He wasn't kidding. I AM in trouble.
Ripper (to Vincent): Uh, can I be in trouble, too?
Vincent (to Ripper): Well, he's Poppy's brother, so buying him a drink is probably a good way to find out. :-P
Percy (to Vincent): So, barkeep, can I have one of your manliest drinks? ... Oh, honey, I'm clearly not butch enough to pull that off.
Vincent (to Percy): Hee hee. Don't worry, hun. You're getting plenty of attention, butch or no. Ripper is certainly intrigued. What do you want to drink?
Percy (to Vincent): A Gin & Tonic would suit me fine, honey... And, it would just figure that now would be the time that Ripper is interested..
Vincent (to Percy): Oh thank heavens. I was afraid you would request a "manly" drink I didn't know how to make... Remember when you lamenting that you weren't going to get any free drinks?
Percy (to Vincent): Yes, but to be honest, I don't know how to deal with the attention right now. And, honey, I think the manliest drink I know would be a rusty nail, which is basically scotch & more scotch...
Vincent (to Percy): Sorry, hun. I'll stop trying to hustle drinks out of people for you.
Percy (to Vincent): Thank you for that, honey. I'll just buy my own drinks from now on...
Vincent (to Percy): Well, I told you I'd pick up your tab tonight. I promise not to try anything untoward.
Eep (to Mouse): Oh holy Jesus. Ripper is trying to flirt with Poppy. She looks like she's about to shit a brick! This is HILARIOUS.
Mouse (to Eep): I'll be right in, just parking the car.
Percy (to Vincent): Honey, Ripper just said something odd to me about my boots... And I'm not even wearing boots.
Vincent (to Percy): He's trying to flirt with you, hun. Just tell him you're not interested.
Percy (to Vincent): I am interested, honey... I'm not dead. But, I don't have a clue how to go about it...
Vincent (to Percy): Oh good heavens. I didn't even consider the difference in mechanics... And you are making it VERY difficult for me to keep my promise to behave myself. (to Mouse & Eep) I see you two snickering over there.
Mouse (to Vincent): I'd apologize, but well I don't wanna...
Eep (to Vincent): That's because it's funny! Did you just BLUSH? I have never seen that in my life.
Percy (to Vincent): I'm sorry, honey... Maybe you could give me a few pointers or help me with the owner's manual? ;-)
Vincent (to Percy): Not helping! (to Mouse & Eep) You two are a riot.
Percy (to Vincent): It's helping me! ;-)
Mouse (to Vincent): What? You two are just sooo adorable.
Vincent (to Percy): And here I thought you wanted me to behave. (to Mouse) Of course. I'm always adorable. :-P
Percy (to Vincent): Honey, I don't think those words ever escaped my lips.
Vincent (to Percy): Oh. Hee hee. That is very true.
Percy (to Vincent): Well, it looks like I scared off Ripper, honey... You know the more I talk to him, the more familiar he seems to me.
Vincent (to Percy): Really? Maybe you know his counterpart.
Percy (to Vincent): Well, that could be it, but... Honey, did you ever actually read 'Gears, Gadgets & Glory'?
Vincent (to Percy): Yes, of course, I have. Why?
Percy (to Vincent): Don't you think he looks like the guy on the cover?
Vincent (to Percy): Oh my goodness, he DOES! (to Ripper) Professor! Did you pose for the cover of a romance novel?
Ripper (to Vincent): Uh... Yeah. How the hell did you find out about that?
Vincent (to Percy): O.M.G. I asked. It's totes him! (to Ripper) Hee hee. Sorry. Percy and I have actually both read the novel.
Percy (to Vincent): Oh my, that makes my day!
Ripper (to Vincent): Oh... Really? Did you guys like it?
Vincent (to Ripper): Well, the writing was more competent than usual bodice ripper drek, but overall it was pretty formulaic. Of course, no one reads romance novels for the plot. Poppy and I spent a weekend recreating selected scenes from chapter 12. (to Percy) I have fond memories of you introducing that book to me...
Ripper (to Vincent): Oh, that was the scene on the Zeppelin, right?
Percy (to Vincent): Oooh, honey, we can now totally recreate the scene in chapter 23 between the pirate & prince...
Vincent (to Percy): Oh my... (to Ripper) Oh ho! We're not the only ones who have read it, I see.
Ripper (to Vincent): Uh, read it? Not exactly...
Vincent (to Ripper): Oh? Now you've gone and peaked my interest. Ooo! But I'm afraid curiosity will have to wait. Mr. Meriwether wants to head out.
Ripper (to Vincent): I'll talk to you later. Have a good night!
Vincent (to Ripper): Good night, Professor. Watch out for air pirates, wayward princes and rogue gears! :-P
Ripper (to Vincent): You too, Captain!
