Vincent (to Ripper): How are you doing, Professor? You were a bit worse for wearlast night. (to Poppy) Hi, hun. Just checking in to make sure you made it back to your hotel OK last night.
Ripper (to Vincent): Yeah, that is the last time I skip dinner before work. I think I'm okay, though I feel like I got hit by a truck... I am too old for this shit. Uh, how did I get home & put to bed? I don't remember coming home.
Poppy (to Vincent): Oh, aren't you sweet, honey! I made it home just fine.
Vincent (to Ripper): I'm not surprised! Don't worry; we didn't let you behind the wheel. I drove you home. Think of it as returning the favor. :-P (to Poppy) Always. And perhaps just a wee bit paranoid. Last time I saw Oliver, he gave me a black eye, after all.
Ripper (to Vincent): Thank you, you are too kind... I think I need to make myself some breakfast & try to feel like a human being.
Poppy (to Vincent): That is true, honey, and he feels terrible about it, by the way. I like him, but something just feels off... we don't have a spark or the right chemistry & no witty banter like what you & I have. It makes me pouty.
Vincent (to Ripper): Godspeed. I'm trying to find someplace new to get coffee besides the cafe. It might be totes irrational of me, but I keep expecting Oliver to poison my latte. (to Poppy) Well, I am a special kind of snowflake. It may still work, hun. There are always compatibility bugs to work out at first.
Ripper (to Vincent): Well, I guess now you have to worry about him poisoning you for different reasons. He seems completely hung up on Poppy
Poppy (to Vincent): Oh honey, it would just be so much easier if you liked girls & then we could date. :-P But, that's never going to happen & besides, I like our friendship how it is & I'd hate to ruin it.
Vincent (to Ripper): Oh good heavens. Don't give me MORE reasons to be paranoid. It's too bad the feeling doesn't seem to be mutual. (to Poppy) Oh. Yes. Of course.
Ripper (to Vincent): Sorry, I was just teasing you. That would certainly get you off the hook with Poppy, if she liked someone else, I suppose.
Vincent (to Ripper): Dear God. Poppy thinks I'm gay. I may have to smack Klaude Davenport next time I see her. Provided she's unarmed.
Ripper (to Vincent): Is that really such a bad thing?
Poppy (to Vincent): heehee, wow, honey, you didn't even protest when I said you didn't like girls... I was baiting you. Are you mad at me? Did I do something wrong, honey? You have been acting strange with me ever since we got back.
Vincent (to Ripper): Oh no. That would work fine until some adorable thing walked into the club in a short skirt. I am not a gent of subtlety. Not that it matters. Apparently, she was just teasing me. Good Lord. I thought things were confusing before. (to Poppy) I'm sorry, hun. I'm a bit off kilter lately. Between getting my sister kidnapped, Smythe, Hiiri... It's been a trying time. I'm not quite myself lately, I know. I'm afraid my ego has taken quite the beating.
Ripper (to Vincent): Well, she's sounds like a human girl to me. Heh, I think you just don't like the idea of Poppy thinking you're gay, because then you can't fool around with her.
Poppy (to Vincent): Oh well, in that case, honey, I'm sorry & I'll stop verbally roughing you up, then.
Vincent (to Ripper): I'm trying not to fool around with her now! But... I won't deny that may have been a mitigating factor. MAY have been. (to Poppy) Oh, don't worry about it. I'm tougher than that. It may just take me some time to get back to my usual effervescent self. ;-}
Ripper (to Vincent): Wow, Captain, you really have put yourself into a mental tizzy over all of this, haven't you?
Poppy (to Vincent): I'd invite you to chill out with me at the hotel & relax... but I have a feeling you'd say no.
Vincent (to Ripper): I HAVE, haven't I? I'm sorry. I've just made one too many dreadful decisions in the past few months. And now, I'm second guessing every action and thought to the point of ridiculousness. Maybe I should just go back to pretending to be a vapid little pervert. It was certainly less confusing. :-P (to Poppy) Sorry, hun. You know I'm usually not one to turn down lounging about in a hotel, but not today.
Ripper (to Vincent): heh, I think you need to simply go back to the basics.
Poppy (to Vincent): Fine. whatever, honey...
Vincent (to Ripper): Go back to basics? Hee. I'm not sure I was ever "basic." I've always been a bit too theatrical for my own good. (to Poppy) Don't be mad, hun. I've got a dinner engagement tonight. You and I will spend all day drinking & flustering the pool boys. I'd end up missing dinner all together.
Ripper (to Vincent): I just mean start simple... that doesn't sound much better than the basic comment. I'm sorry, my brain is still a bit fried.
Poppy (to Vincent): You say that, honey, and that's just fine, but I get the distinct impression that there's more to it. You've been avoiding hanging out with me alone since we got back... I just thought we were friends & you could talk to me, clearly I was wrong. Have fun tonight. I'll leave you alone from now on.
Vincent (to Ripper): And I've been hitting you with nonstop blather. I'm so sorry, Professor. I'll let you recover in peace. (to Poppy) I'm sorry you feel that way, hun.
Ripper (to Vincent): It's alright. So, still on for the dinner party tonight? I was planning on heading over there around 7pm or so.
Poppy (to Vincent): Really? Well, then tell me the truth... why have you been avoiding me?
Vincent (to Ripper): I'm game if you're feeling up to it. (to Poppy) Oh dear... Well hun, I'm not entirely sure I can be trusted to behave myself around you. And, I don't want to complicate our relationship or hurt you.
Ripper (to Vincent): Oh, I've been in worse conditions over at their house, plus the fact that they didn't come out last night, means they were more than likely in a similar state.
Poppy (to Vincent): Oh... I don't know what to say... well, I feel like a heel, now. Thank you for being honest with me, honey.
Vincent (to Ripper): Hee hee. Alright then. Do you want me to pick you up? Your car is still at Drac's. I can drop you off at the club afterwards. (to Poppy) It's the burden you'll have to bear for being adorable, I'm afraid.
Ripper (to Vincent): That would work. Thanks!
Poppy (to Vincent): That's sweet of you to say, honey... I'm just a little in shock.
Vincent (to Poppy): Really? I thought I was obvious. I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable.
Poppy (to Vincent): No, no, honey, it's okay. You just totally caught me off-guard. I was expecting it to be something completely different... and now, I have naughty thoughts going through my head... I need to go take a cold shower, honey.
Vincent (to Poppy): Oh dear. Well, now I'm sorry for another reason all together, then. ;-} Out of curiosity, hun, what were you expecting me to say?
Poppy (to Vincent): Oh honey, I don't know, I just had assumed that I had done something wrong and was completely oblivious about it. And, you say all of that, after I made that comment earlier about wishing you & I could date... Wait... Something doesn't feel right here...
Vincent (to Poppy): Oh, hun. It's probably just because I'm a bit scatter brained right now. My thoughts are all over the place lately.
Poppy (to Vincent): No, I'm just having a weird sense of deja vu... like we've had this conversation before.
Vincent (to Poppy): Well, that's odd.
Poppy (to Vincent): Look honey, go to your dinner thing & have a good time... I should go get ready for my date.
Vincent (to Poppy): I will. Have a good time on your date, hun. I hope things go better this time around.
Poppy (to Vincent): Thanks. I'll be home by 10pm, if you want to join me for a little late night swim. :-)
Vincent (to Poppy): Oh. Well... I'll keep that in mind. I'll chat with you later.
An hour or so later:
Eep (to Mouse): Hey pretty lady. I just got done with work. Want me to pick up a pizza on the way home?
Mouse (to Eep): That sounds perfect. Did you have a good day?
Eep (to Mouse): Yeah. It was alright. No one commented on my hair today, so bonus. :p It was slow. I think everyone was hungover.
Mouse (to Eep): Oh god, speaking of hungover, I hope Ripper is feeling okay. He looked terrible when Vincent was taking home. Someone probably should have warned him about the tradition of getting the DJs drunk on St. Patrick's Day.
Eep (to Mouse): I didn't even know that WAS a tradition. Yikes! I feel kinda bad. Ripper was the one who warned me to wear green last night. I completely forgot about St Patrick's Day.
Mouse (to Eep): Well, it started at the club a few years back, when someone commented that Satanica seemed to dj better on St. Patrick's Day & it was determined that was the case because people were buying her shots & that everyone else was also really drunk... so voila! A really stupid tradition was born.
Eep (to Mouse): Jesus. If you ask me, all the St Pat's traditions are stupid. Everyone kept asking me if I was Irish last night. Yeah. Right.
Mouse (to Eep): No, I agree with you... and, those people were clearly drunk.
Eep (to Mouse): Heh. Yeah. I think maybe just a little.
Mouse (to Eep): So, you wanna watch a movie or play a game or something with the pizza?
Eep (to Mouse): A movie sounds good. You and Vincent are WAY too competitive when you play games.
Mouse (to Eep): It's true & I don't even know how it started... I was never like that growing up... He brings it out in me for some reason.
Eep (to Mouse): Heh. I think that's what they call sibling rivalry. :p
Mouse (to Eep): So, I've been thinking... I've been managing to sleep through the night the last few days and I think the worst of nightmares are over, if you want to go back to your apartment, now's your chance. I'll miss you, but I'm sure you'd like your own space back. I would love it, if you wanted to make the move in with me permanent, but I'll completely understand if you don't, right now.
Eep (to Mouse): Oh. Uh, wow. I'm really glad you're feeling better, and yeah, I'd, um, really like to move in with you at some point. But, before we do that, I feel like I should, um, make sure my head isn't up my ass.
Mouse (to Eep): Oh my god, you are so weird... you marry me in an alternate world without hesitation because you think we might die, but the idea of moving in with me in the real world, permanently, scares the shit out of you.
Eep (to Mouse): What? No! No. It's not that. I'm, um, I'm just kinda expecting that I'm gonna fall apart a little once I'm on my own.
Mouse (to Eep): Well, you don't have to be on your own.
Eep (to Mouse): Oh. Uh, yeah. Right. I guess that's kinda stupid, huh?
Mouse (to Eep): I would love it, if you stayed... why do you think I was rearranging & cleaning? I rearranged my studio, so that you had half of it for art.
Eep (to Mouse): Oh. Uh, really?
Mouse (to Eep): Yeah, on the off chance that you decided to stay. Besides, I think I made it more tidy & efficient in there, my stuff was spread all over the place.
Eep (to Mouse): Oh. Um. Heh. I guess you don't mind if I stay for a little while longer, then, huh?
Mouse (to Eep): Not at all... I like you being here.
A few hours later:
Ripper (to Vincent): Thanks again for dropping me off at my car. I hope the dinner wasn't too painful for you.
Hiiri (to Vincent): Hello, Vincent... Oh, and look! It's Vincent's wannabe lover, Ripper.
Carver (to Hiiri): This is Vincent, ma'am? Odd. We expected him to be taller.
Vincent (to Hiiri): Oh holy shit...
Ripper (to Hiiri): Wow... you must be evi... Hiiri.
Hiiri (to Vincent): Cat got your tongue, sweetie?
Vincent (to Hiiri): You and I have nothing to say to each other, Hiiri. (to Ripper) Professor, don't. Please get in your car and go. Quickly.
Hiiri (to Vincent): Oh, don't be like that. What have really done that was sooo terrible? I rid the world of the Back Alley Butcher & three, no four, people who thought money was more important than human lives. (to Ripper) Yes, Professor, off with you! Nothing to see here...
Ripper (to Vincent): Are you going to be okay?
Vincent (to Hiiri): Yes. Well, devaluing human life is something you all had in common, isn't it? What do you want?
Hiiri (to Vincent): Oh, what a mouth on you! I oughtta wash your mouth out with soap. But, no matter. The reason for my visit is plain & simple. I missed the family. I've been wandering about the gateways & I got homesick. (to Ripper) So doting, so sweet. You really have a thing for the Potters, now don't you? Now, take a hike or I might decide to keep you...
Vincent (to Ripper): Jacob, please go now. I'll keep them distracted as long as I can. Theoretically, Hiiri won't hurt me, but I don't trust that creepy little Child of the Corn she has with her. (to Hiiri) We're not family, madam. I don't know how many other ways I can impress that upon you.
Ripper (to Vincent): Alright, I'm going.
Hiiri (to Vincent): Oh, where are my manners? Vincent, this is Carver... I found him in a place I like to call TinTown... well, called, really. It's gone now...
Carver (to Vincent): Nice to meet you, sir.
Vincent (to Hiiri & Carver): Ooookay. This isn't creepy at all.
Hiiri (to Vincent): Isn't he just darling?
Vincent (to Hiiri): I don't know if darling is the word I'd use, hun. What do you want?
Hiiri (to Vincent): Oh pooh, you take all the fun out of being slightly menacing... Alright, down to business, then... You once had in your possession, an item belonging to the Crown Prince... it was a locket with a key inside. I want it. And, I'm hoping for your sake that you know where it is or know who has it.
Vincent (to Hiiri): I think you've been reading too many of Ripper's stories. I don't have any connection to the royal family. I don't know what you're talking about.
Hiiri (to Vincent): Don't lie to me, boy... or are you really that dense?
Carver (to Hiiri): Would you like us to ask him about it, ma'am?
Hiiri (to Carver): Not just yet, Carver dear. I see the wheels turning in his little head, give him a minute... (to Vincent) It never occurred to you to wonder how you got a ship? Or how you were able to wander about without any documentation? Or that your mentor disappeared right about the same time as the Crown Prince? I am surprised... I thought you were much smarter than that.
Vincent (to Hiiri): Well, I am exceptionally charming. And lots of people disappear.
Hiiri (to Vincent): Fine... you want to play it that way... Where's the locket that Alistair gave you?
Vincent (to Hiiri): THAT locket? Goodness... I'm afraid I don't know, hun. It's been years since I've seen it. I must have lost it. Probably on some ill-fated raid, I'm sure.
Hiiri (to Vincent): And, the key?
Vincent (to Hiiri): Most likely still in the locket, I'd imagine. Why on earth would I keep a key that didn't open any locks I owned?
Carver (to Hiiri): Would you like us to ask him now, ma'am?
Hiiri (to Carver): Yes, I would, darling dear.
Carver (to Vincent): Sorry, Captain. I like you, but I'm afraid Other Carver is a little jealous.
Vincent (to Carver): You stay where you are, you freaky little shit!
Poppy (to Hiiri): I highly suggest that you & your little friend sit tight... The cavalry will be arriving shortly.
Hiiri (to Poppy): Oh Poppy! How good to see you back to your old self again... Carver wasn't going to hurt him much. (to Carver) Let us not dilly dally, Carver my dear.
Carver (to Hiiri): Of course not, ma'am. You know best, ma'am. We are a bit disappointed, of course...
Hiiri (to Carver): There's always next time! (to Poppy & Vincent) Til next time... you really should remember to remove the teleportation devices.
Carver (to Hiiri): Yes, of course, ma'am.
Poppy (to Vincent): Are you okay, honey? I got here as soon as I got the message from Ripper.
Vincent (to Poppy): Feeling better not that the tin plated nightmare and her creepy little goon are gone. Oh good heavens...
Poppy (to Vincent): Here, honey, sit down... Did they hurt you? Are you alright?
Vincent (to Poppy): No, hun. They didn't get a chance, thanks to you.
Poppy (to Vincent): Well, I thought I had those damn teleportation devices neutralized, but she must have changed the frequency... Which is kind of a blessing, as I was bluffing. I hadn't had the chance to get the Davenports or anyone else.
Vincent (to Poppy): You were bluffing? Ha ha ha! Remind me never to play poker against you, sweetie!
Poppy (to Vincent): I'm glad you're okay... need a hug?
Vincent (to Poppy): I could use a hug and then a large, stiff drink. (to Ripper) Thanks for sending in the cavalry, Professor. Poppy and I are both OK
Ripper (to Vincent): I'm glad you're both okay.
Poppy (to Vincent): Well, I can supply you with the hug & well, uh, the drink is your call. I do have gin at my hotel room, but you're probably not interested in that.
Vincent (to Poppy): I think I need something to calm my nerves, hun. My legs feel like they're made of jelly. (to Ripper) You and me both. If Poppy hadn't showed up when she did... Ugh. I'd rather not think about it.
Ripper (to Vincent): Do you need anything?
Poppy (to Vincent): Well, scoot over & I'll drive your car... I had Oliver drop me off.
Vincent (to Poppy): Thanks, hun. (to Ripper) I... I think I'm OK. Poppy has promised me a stiff drink. I need one. Good heavens...
Ripper (to Vincent): Oh... do you think that's such a good idea?
Vincent (to Ripper): I think it will be OK. I'm a bit too freaked out to feel anything remotely akin to sexy at the moment. And I'd just rather not be alone for the mo. Thank you for leaving. I really don't want anyone else I care about getting hurt because of me. Not if I can help it.
Ripper (to Vincent): I felt like a giant ass for doing it, that's why I texted Poppy.
Vincent (to Ripper): I'm glad you did. Had you stayed, we may have both been in trouble. Apparently, I'm off of Hiiri's "Do Not Kill or Maim" list.
Ripper (to Vincent): Well, that's not good.
Vincent (to Ripper): No indeed. And now you understand my desire for a nice, strong drink.
Ripper (to Vincent): Well, go get your drink & relax, Captain. And, I'll see you later.
Vincent (to Ripper): I'll see you later, Professor.
An hour or so later:
Poppy: I love how gin makes me feel. It's like my heart is trying to hug my brain!
Vincent (to Poppy): Thank you again, hun. Both for the drink and for coming to my rescue.
Poppy (to Vincent): Oh honey, it was my pleasure... should I drive you home?
Vincent (to Poppy): I think so, hun. I'm more than a little bit tipsy. How will you get home, sweetie?
Poppy (to Vincent): I'll walk or take a cab, honey. Don't worry about lil ole me!
Vincent (to Poppy): Hun, we just had a run in with an insane automaton and her creepy little monkey. I'm nothing but worry at the mo! Do me a favor and take a cab, won't you?
Vincent (to Mouse): Sweetie? Are you and Eep OK?
Mouse (to Vincent): Yeah, we're fine... we were watching a movie & had fallen asleep... Oops, I think I drooled on Eep's shirt a little. Is something wrong?
Vincent (to Mouse): Our favorite killer automaton just paid me a visit.
Mouse (to Vincent): Oh god, are you okay? She didn't hurt you, did she? What the hell did she want?
Vincent (to Mouse): I'm OK. Poppy showed up before she could do anything unsavory. She has a... I don't know. A creepy, blond little minion now.
Mouse (to Vincent): What? She's got a minion? That's a terrifying thought.
Vincent (to Mouse): He's as terrifying as you expect. Somehow, she found out about the man who was my patron & taught me how to be a pirate... She's after something he left in my possession years ago. I have no idea why.
Mouse (to Vincent): Well, whatever she's planning it's probably not good.
Vincent (to Mouse): I don't imagine so, no.
Mouse (to Vincent): Could we hold off telling Eep for a couple days? I'm worried this would just put him more on edge.
Vincent (to Mouse): Oh, of course, hun. ... Oh! Oh shit! I probably shouldn't have told you as much as I did. Damn it!
Mouse (to Vincent): No, no. It's okay. I'm coping much better these last few days. I've been sleeping soundly & therapy with Poppy has been helping. Plus, I after I accidentally punched Wanda the other day, she and I had a really good talk. And, everything just kinda clicked in my head.
Vincent (to Mouse): Wait... You punched Wanda and then... everything clicked in your head?
Mouse (to Vincent): Yeah, I know it sounds crazy... but, I don't feel so helpless & like I have control again.
Vincent (to Mouse): Hun, at this moment, I don't care HOW insane that sounds as long as it works.
Mouse (to Vincent): Poppy thinks that Smythe was her counterpart... so, punching her may have been a catalyst for the healing process. And, I think she might be right, because I thought I saw Smythe for the briefest of moments when Wanda surprised me.
Vincent (to Mouse): WANDA was Smythe's counterpart? Good heavens! I know counterparts between the worlds don't really correlate with one another, but Wanda and the Back Alley Butcher? Thank goodness I'm already drinking.
Mouse (to Vincent): Yes, and keep that between me & you... Do not tell Eep that at all! I told him that I thought I saw Smythe & it freaked me out... but I didn't tell him that the counterpart theory, as that's his friend & roommate.
Vincent (to Mouse): Oh of course not! Wanda and Smythe are two totes different people... But, there's no need to make things more awkward than they have to be.
Mouse (to Vincent): So, are you okay? Are you somewhere safe? Do you need company?
Vincent (to Mouse): I'm very nearly OK, and I'm OK. I'm with Poppy, and she's been giving me gin to help calm my nerves.
Mouse (to Vincent): Oh, really?
Vincent (to Mouse): Don't you "oh really" me, sister o' mine. We're just drinking. She's taking me home.
Mouse (to Vincent): Alright, it's none of my business... Have a good night & stay safe.
Vincent (to Mouse): You too, sweetie. I love you.
An hour or so later:
Poppy (to Vincent): Honey, you still seem on edge, would it make you feel better if I slept on the couch & left in the morning?
Vincent (to Poppy): Actually, I'd really appreciate that. Oh dear. All that gin finally hit me. The chaise lounge may be as far as I can go! Feel free to take the bedroom, hun. I think ... yes. I AM going to sleep right here.
Poppy (to Vincent): Come on, honey, I'll help you to the bed... I'm not to going to deny you that comfort after the day you've had...
