Hiiri (to Mouse): Greetings, Mouse, my name is Hiiri, the one called Smythe made me in your image. No doubt you are surprised to hear from me... I'm contacting you in advance of Smythe's arrival into your world. He will be there soon. I need your help, I wish to be destroyed...
Mouse (to Hiiri): Oh dear god, it's true... that insane monster made a copy of me... but why?
Hiiri (to Mouse): I can explain it all to you in person, but that's not important right now... I have the plans for the Time Dilation Modulator that Smythe is going to use to control the portals. I need sanctuary & a quiet place to create the cipher to destroy the weapon. Will you help me?
Mouse (to Hiiri): I don't know... You shot Poppy & you helped Smythe escape.
Hiiri (to Mouse): But... I was just following my programming, he made me do it... But, I remember now... all of the terrible things he did to us.
Mouse (to Hiiri): God, I just don't know... I really need to talk to my brother first. Just give me some time. (to Vincent) Little brother, uh, I don't know how to say this, but the other Mouse just contacted me.
Hiiri (to Mouse): We don't have much time. The portals are stabilizing and as soon as they do, he's going be on your doorstep and he's coming for Eep & your brother. He's not happy with either of them.
Vincent (to Mouse): WHAT?! How? Why?!
Mouse (to Vincent): She needs help & wants to stop Smythe... she remembers what he did to me, uh, us... this is confusing.
Vincent (to Mouse): What? She has your memories?
Mouse (to Vincent): That's what she says. She says she has the plans for the weapon that Smythe is going to use to control the portals & that she can create a cipher to destroy it but she needs sanctuary... She also wants help being destroyed herself. And as soon as the portals stabilize Smythe is coming for you & Eep.
Vincent (to Mouse): God... I don't know, sweetie. It's got the stink of "trap" all over it. Your double was the one who freed Smythe. Not to mention shooting Poppy. Why not just let Smythe rot if she wants him stopped? I don't trust her.
Mouse (to Vincent): She said she was following her programming... I know it might be a trap, but what if it's not?
Vincent (to Mouse): And what if she's programmed to snap all our necks when she's within arm's reach? It just seems too convenient. How much autonomy do you think Smythe would grant an automaton he created? Not to mention how bloody creepy it is he built her in the 1st place. Can I ask Poppy/Percy about this?
Mouse (to Vincent): I don't know, sweetie, I'm probably the last person to be talking to her... It's too personal. Yes, I wish you would ask Poppy, I have no idea what to do... and it's really weird talking to her, she sounds just like me.
Vincent (to Mouse): That's part of what I don't like, hun. If this IS a trap, she has to know the best way to get you to drop your guard is to mention how Smythe is gunning for me and Eep. Why contact you in the first place? Why not contact me, or the Davenports? (to Poppy/Percy) Hey, hun. Do you have some spare time?
Percy (to Vincent): For you, honey? Of course. I was just talking to the Davenports. What do you need?
Mouse (to Vincent): I don't know... I really don't.
Vincent (to Percy): Seems the Evil Mouse has contacted my sister requesting sanctuary and claiming to have plans for some weapon of Smythe's.
Percy (to Vincent): Oh good, let's bring her over, so I can hit her with a hammer, honey.
Vincent (to Percy): Hee hee. Well, that's one option for sure. I'm just worried it's a trap.
Percy (to Vincent): Honey, it very well could be. But, if she really does have those plans & could help us destroy it, it might be worth the risk. But, I still want to hit her with a hammer.
Hiiri (to Vincent): Little brother... I mean, Vincent, I'm sure, by now, Mouse has told you of my request & that you're scrambling to decide what to do about it. But, I promise you, I want to stop Smythe just as much as the rest of you. The things he did to me, us... her, were completely reprehensible. He needs to be stopped.
Vincent (to Hiiri): Not to sound cold-hearted, madam, but what's to stop you from slaughtering the lot of us the second you crossover?
Hiiri (to Vincent): I'm willing to be your prisoner. I'll crossover completely unarmed, and I'll be at your mercy... I want to help stop Smythe and then, I want to be shut down... He's made me do terrible things.
Vincent (to Percy): Well, it seems she's pleading her case to me now. Would we be able to restrain her? (to Hiiri) I'm sure. Why did you contact my sister first? Why not ask the Davenport sisters or myself for help?
Percy (to Vincent): Yes, we could use an Electro-Magnetic Restraint, honey, that would keep her immobile, but still able to speak.
Hiiri (to Vincent): Because, I trust her & she is me... I know what she knows, I feel what she feels. Smythe gave me all her memories and kept her personality intact with a few modifications. He wanted me to be his companion... but, I find him disgusting.
Vincent (to Percy): Alright. Good God... I don't like this. I don't trust anything that has Smythe's fingerprints on it. (to Mouse) OK, hun. Poppy, er Percy, is all for bringing over your Evil Twin. I think mostly because he wants to hit her with a hammer. He thinks we can restrain her, and if she does have a copy of Smythe's plans, it's worth the risk. What do you and Eep think?
Percy (to Vincent): I agree, honey... but, stranger things have happened. If Smythe did actually use Mouse's personality to create her, she very well could be telling the truth. There's sadly only one way to find out.
Mouse (to Vincent): Well, if Pop... I mean, Percy thinks it's a good idea, than I say we do it. I haven't actually told Eep, yet... (to Eep) Hey there, sexy... um, are you sitting down? I'm about to tell you something weird & then I need your opinion.
Eep (to Mouse): Uh... Yeah. I am now. What's up?
Mouse (to Eep): Ummm, the other me, her name is Hiiri, contacted me. She wants sanctuary & to help us stop Smythe... I don't know what to do. There's the very real possibility it's a trap, but she's willing to be restrained... and, she remembers what Smythe did to me...
Eep (to Mouse): Oh... Shit. Oh holy SHIT. Jesus. I... I don't know, Killer. I really don't know what to even think. What do you think?
Mouse (to Eep): Well, Percy wants to hit her with a hammer, and honestly, I can't say I blame him... The idea of there being a robot me walking around with my memories freaks me out. I mean, the alternate me was one thing, but this... this is just creepy. I want to help her get away from Smythe, because he's terrible... but, I just don't know.
Eep (to Mouse): God, yeah... I don't like the idea of leaving any kind of version of you with Smythe... And yeah. It's creepy as fuck. WAY creepy as fuck! Honestly, I'm pretty fucking sick of all of these plots and plans...
Mouse (to Eep): Me too... (to Vincent) So... let's go ahead and let her through, little brother.
Vincent (to Mouse): Right. I don't suppose there would be some massively clever way that I could convince you and Eep to stay away from her until we know if she's lying? (to Hiiri) I've spoken to my sister and Poppy, the lovely lady you shot, if you remember, and we'll let you through. BUT you'll be restrained. At all times. I don't trust you or your creator, madam. Not one bit. If you have my sister's personality, I'm sure you understand why.
Mouse (to Vincent): Oh... don't worry, I am staying far away from her. I have no interest in being face to face with her.
Hiiri (to Vincent): I do, lit... Vincent, and I promise I just want to stop Smythe... You'll see. I can be at the portal that opens to the Old Piedmont Inn in one hour, will that be enough time for you?
Vincent (to Mouse): I can't blame you. (to Percy & Hiiri) Can we all convene at the Old Piedmont in an hour?
Mouse (to Vincent): Be careful, little brother. The first sign that it's a trap, you get the hell out of there, you hear me?
Percy (to Vincent & Hiiri): I'll be there with bells on, the EM Restraint... and a hammer.
Hiiri (to Percy & Vincent): Understood.
Vincent (to Mouse): Trust me, hun. I will. I'm jumpier about this whole thing than a cat in a room full of pit bulls. Mouse... I hate to even suggest something will go wrong, but if it does. If you don't hear from me 10 min after the meeting... I mean, I have Percy w/ me, so I should be OK, but Grab Otto, Eep, that trunk out of my room, & get the hell out of town.
Mouse (to Vincent): Okay, little brother... I really hope it doesn't come to that.
Vincent (to Mouse): You and me both, but I'll feel better if I know you three have an escape plan.
An hour or so later:
Percy (to Vincent): Are you ready for this, honey? You know, you don't have to come with me, you can wait in the car.
Vincent (to Percy): Of course I do, hun. I'm not sending you to meet a potentially dangerous automaton alone.
Percy (to Vincent): Honey, I can be repaired, body replaced... you can't & I'd never forgive myself, if something happened to you.
Vincent (to Percy): So you'll just have to keep me safe. ;-} I'm ready when you are, hun.
A couple hours later:
Vincent (to Mouse): Hey, hun. We're both OK. Percy is going to watch our special friend while I head to work.
Mouse (to Vincent): Alright, sweetie, that is good to know… So, I take it everything went okay?
Vincent (to Mouse): So far. I still don't know if I trust her.
A few hours later:
Ripper (to Vincent): So, uh, Captain, why were you up at the Old Piedmont Inn earlier?
Vincent (to Ripper): Oh? Was I up at the Piedmont? When was this? Are sure it was me?
Ripper (to Vincent): Fairly certain it was you. You were getting in your car with Percy & your sister...
Vincent (to Ripper): Oh yes. Hee. I guess we're rather unmistakable, aren't we? Of course. It completely slipped my mind. Percy was thinking of doing some modeling, and Mouse was helping him scout some locations for a photo shoot. What were you doing wandering around an old abandoned building?
Ripper (to Vincent): Oh, uh, there's a hallway that I liked the look of for a project & I was taking a photo of it...
Vincent (to Ripper): Really? Which hallway?
Ripper (to Vincent): Uh, it's on the third floor with the fleur de lis wallpaper, the lighting effect in there is awesome.
Vincent (to Ripper): The one with the boarded up windows? We're both totes lying, aren't we?
Ripper (to Vincent): Uh, it would seem so... So, I take it, you really are an airship pirate?
Vincent (to Ripper): Maybe... What's your connection to the Old Piedmont?
Ripper (to Vincent): I'm just going to lay it on the table, I have a regular appointment with the Empress & I've been having a bit of trouble.
Vincent (to Ripper): Ah. OK. Whew. Sorry to be dodgy, Professor, but things have been, uh, complicated. The portals are all closed on our side, so I'm afraid you may miss your appointment.
Ripper (to Vincent): Well, damn, her highness is not going to be happy... I promised her my latest manuscript in her hand tomorrow...
Vincent (to Ripper): Manuscript?
Ripper (to Vincent): Oh uh, yeah, I write a bit...
Vincent (to Ripper): Ohhh! So THAT'S what you meant by you haven't read, "Gears, Gadgets & Glory." Wait. You posed for your OWN book cover?
Ripper (to Vincent): The publisher suggested it, and I use a pseudonym... So until now no one knew I wrote them.
Vincent (to Ripper): Well, don't worry. If you don't tattle on me, I won't tattle on you.
Ripper (to Vincent): It's a deal... So, I guess I really should call you Captain. :-)
Vincent (to Ripper): Like I said, one day someone will believe me when I tell them I'm an inter-dimensional air pirate. Oh, Professor! By the by, you should probably keep away from any crossover points you usually use for a while.
Ripper (to Vincent): Oh, does this have something do with all the rumors I've heard about someone wanting to control the portals?
Vincent (to Ripper): I'm afraid so, and it's not pretty. The less you know, and the less you look connected, the safer it probably is.
Ripper (to Vincent): Well, that certainly sounds ominous & explains a lot of things... I'll have to send my apologies to her highness tomorrow.
Vincent (to Ripper): Don't worry too much. I'm sure she knows all about the portals being shut down. Hopefully, it will all be resolved soon one way or another. And, not to totes change the subject, but how many of these novels have you written? I have to admit, I'm a bit shocked.
Ripper (to Vincent): Oh, about ten, five published here & five there... The first one started out as a bit of a joke & well, now they're popular.
Vincent (to Ripper): 10?! Well, aren't you prolific!
Ripper (to Vincent): Well, as you said last night, they're kind of formulaic... Plus now I have a character that the fans really like & I have to keep putting in the novels...
Vincent (to Ripper): The pirate, right? Everyone loves a rogue. I'll admit I don't think I've read any of the novels you've published.
Ripper (to Vincent): Yeah, he was based on some stories I heard about a pirate in the other world, you may have heard of him, he goes by the nom de guerre, The Dainty Dandy... Uh, wait... You're a pirate & you're you... That wouldn't happen to be you, would it?
Vincent (to Ripper): I really hate it when people call me that. At least they got the dandy part right. (to Percy) Hi, hun. I'm just checking in. Are you OK? How are things going with our guest?
Percy (to Vincent): It's fine... She's currently drawing the schematics for the modulator from memory...
Vincent (to Percy): I should be back to the apt in a bit. Be careful!
Percy (to Vincent): See you soon, honey... I'm going to turn the EM Restraint back to full strength on our guest & then curl up with a book for a bit.
Vincent (to Percy): I'll see you shortly.
