Hiiri: Sometimes, I wonder why I bother being nice? No one seems to appreciate it. CLANNG didn't seem to like the monkeys I sent them at all.
Vincent: Good God in heaven... Whoever is pounding on my door better be grateful I no longer have a sword...
Eep (to Vincent): Oh! Hey. I, uh, didn't mean to wake you. Uhhh, feel free to put on clothes at any point.
Vincent (to Eep): No. I don't mean to be abrupt, Slim, but what do you want?
Poppy (to Vincent & Eep): What is with all the banging, honey? ... Oh, hello there, Eep… I'd say something witty, but I'm still sleepy.
Eep (to Vincent & Poppy): Oh yeah. Sorry. Um, Mouse wanted me to check on you guys to make sure you're OK before I went to work.
Vincent (to Eep): Mouse, huh? Well, you can tell my sister that we're fine.
Poppy (to Vincent & Eep): I'm going to go in the kitchen and make some coffee... and possibly breakfast. Anyone want anything?
Eep (to Vincent & Poppy): Uh, no. Thanks. I gotta get to work. So, uh, yeah. Glad you're OK. If you need anything lemme know. Later.
Vincent (to Poppy): Coffee would be brilliant, hun. I don't think I'm awake enough to hazard eating anything yet. Bwuah! I don't care how adorable Eep is when he worries, I could have used another few hours.
Poppy (to Vincent): Well, honey, go curl up in the bed. I doubt I'm going to be able to sleep anymore & if I do, I'll just curl up on the couch.
Vincent (to Poppy): No, no. I'm up. Thanks anyway, hun. Did you sleep alright?
Poppy (to Vincent): I had a weird dream & a tad lonely, but other than that, honey, I slept fine. How about yourself?
Vincent (to Poppy): Ooooh... I slept like shit. I couldn't turn my brain off all night. I'm far too pretty for this much thinking.
Poppy (to Vincent): Your brain working overtime thinking about yesterday, honey?
Vincent (to Poppy): I'm afraid so. What was your bad dream about last night?
Poppy (to Vincent): Oh, it was just a crazy robot dream. I think dealing with Percy shook me up more than I care to admit, honey.
Vincent (to Poppy): Well, aren't we a pair? Thanks for the coffee, sweetie.
Poppy (to Vincent): No problem, honey. I made myself some cinnamon toast, would you like some?
Vincent (to Poppy): No thank you. I've, uh, been thinking about the key. I think I'd rather entrust it to you than to the wizard. And, I'd prefer myself, or some other member of the Scooby Gang, go with you to watch your back when hide it, but I understand if you'd rather go solo.
Poppy (to Vincent): Well, honey, honestly I think you'd be the best option... I can't imagine who else I would bring, except maybe, Otto.
Vincent (to Poppy): I'm more than willing to go with you, sweetie. Just let me know when.
Poppy (to Vincent): Well, how soon do you want to be rid of it, honey? We could go right now, otherwise, it'll have to wait until next week.
Vincent (to Poppy): Today is fine with me. I just need to leave the locket with someone before we head over.
Poppy (to Vincent): Ok, honey, I'll throw on some clothes.
Vincent (to Poppy): Mmmm. I should change too. Heh. I think the jockey shorts and silk kimono combo are only going to work if I'm going incognito as a brothel worker. And it certainly won't keep people from noticing me. :-P (to Eep, Mouse & Ripper) Hey, Scooby Gang! Poppy and I have a loose end we need to tie up on the other side. Is anyone available to babysit something for me?
Ripper (to Vincent): Sure, Captain, whatcha need looked after?
Vincent (to Ripper): Thank you, Professor! It's a locket. We should be back by this evening, tomorrow morning at the latest.
Ripper (to Vincent): No problem, I'm heading to the café, want me to stop by on my way?
Vincent (to Ripper): That would be perfect! Before you pick it up, however, I need to warn you that it's connected to the Royal Family. It's half of what Hiiri was after when she showed up. There shouldn't be any danger, in babysitting if for a day, but If you'd rather not, I understand.
Ripper (to Vincent): Oh... Well, will they know I have it? Or can I just play dumb?
Vincent (to Ripper): No one should realize you have any connection to it. The royal family doesn't even know *I* have it and after my visit to her ship, Hiiri shouldn't be able to crossover for a while, at least.
Ripper (to Vincent): Well then, I don't mind. I'll be over in five minutes or so.
Vincent (to Ripper): See you in a few, Professor. Thank you again. (to Poppy) Ripper's going to babysit our royal keepsake for us. If you need any extra clothing, check the bottom drawer of my bureau.
Poppy (to Vincent): Thanks, honey, I've got it covered... How do I look?
Vincent (to Poppy): Like a scruffy vagabond, but I think that's rather the point. I'll be finished up in a shake.
Poppy (to Vincent): Oh, honey, make sure you were this choker... I mean, scarf. It'll let the area kidsman know you're to be left alone.
Vincent (to Poppy): Thanks, hun. So, what's the verdict? Passable?
Poppy (to Vincent): You look a right bang up cove! It should do fine.
Vincent (to Poppy): As long as I don't look too flash. :-P As soon as Ripper stops by, we can head out.
Ripper (to Vincent & Poppy): Knock, knock... Hey there, Captain and... is that you, Poppy? Did you just clean a chimney?
Vincent (to Ripper): Heh. We're incognito for this trip. Here's the locket. I'll let you know when we get back.
Poppy (to Ripper): Oh honey, close your mouth, you'll get flies in it.
Ripper (to Poppy): Sorry, sorry. I've just never seen you dressed like that. I'll see you 2 when you get back. Stay safe! I need to get to class.
Vincent (to Poppy): Dear me. I think your chimbly sweep ensemble may have flusters our dear friend Mr. Rathbone. Ready to go hun?
Poppy (to Vincent): All set, honey.
Vincent (to Poppy): Let's go. We can land the Falcon behind Charring Cross hospital. I've asked a couple of contacts to get word to Dr. Thorne. I've landed there before, and I've got some supplies I'm sure she could use. We can slip out through the side entrance. It opens into a small side alley. We'll be on the street and in the crowd. No one should notice us.
Poppy (to Vincent): That'll work, honey. We'll have a bit of a hike to the house, but it shouldn't take too long to get there.
Vincent (to Poppy): Well, I'm glad I'm dressed lightly, then. Off we go, then, hun. (to Eep & Mouse) We're off, kids! Hopefully, we'll see you later tonight.
Two hours later:
Poppy (to Vincent): Well, here's the old homestead... It's even more ramshackled then I remember.
Vincent (to Poppy): I'd imagine it was more than a bit cramped in there with seven brothers. No wonder you're such a scrapper… Watch your step here, hun. It looks like the floor is rotting through.
Poppy (to Vincent): Yes, it was… if we head up the stairs, there's a hiding place in my old room, honey.
Vincent (to Poppy): No worries. I'm right behind you.
Poppy (to Vincent): Take the stairs as close to the wall, as possible.
Vincent (to Poppy): Oh! Did you draw all these pictures on the wall, hun?
Poppy (to Vincent): Yes, honey. I wanted to have fancy wallpaper, like in the big posh houses across town. We couldn't afford it, so I drew.
Vincent (to Poppy): Well, you did a good job of it. I'm surrounded by writers, painters and cooks! It's almost enough to give a boy a complex.
Poppy (to Vincent): Honey, I think you're pretty brilliant & have a big, generous heart. Can you see the molding with a flower carved in it?
Vincent (to Poppy): Well, I said "almost." I have confidence my talents lie in other arenas. I think... Yes. I see the molding in question, hun.
Poppy (to Vincent): Wonderful... Put your hands on both sides of the flower & pull the molding... and then voila, my hidey hole!
Vincent (to Poppy): Oof! Got it. In we go with this wrought-iron pain-in-my-ass. Hun, it looks like there's a little wooden box in here. Do you want me to hand it to you, or should I leave it be?
Poppy (to Vincent): Oh, uh, you can hand it to me... I'd forgotten that I had put it there.
Vincent (to Poppy): Here you are, sweetie. Wow. Once that panel is slid back in place, you don't even notice the seam. Are you OK, hun?
Poppy (to Vincent): Huh... Oh sorry. Yes, it's a good hiding place, don't you think?
Vincent (to Poppy): Mmm. The best. Poppy? Are you alright?
Poppy (to Vincent): Sorry, honey... We can head back, if you'd like.
Vincent (to Poppy): That's fine with me. It will be dark soon, and I don't see any reason to tempt fate more than we have already. And I still have rum onboard the Falcon. You look like you could use a drink.
Poppy (to Vincent): That would be great, honey. Let's blow this pop stand.
Vincent (to Poppy): Consider it blown.
Fifteen minutes later:
Carver: We had always heard The Tombs were a dangerous neighborhood, but it seems a charming place to us. A pity. We were hoping for a fun evening.
Poppy (to Vincent): Honey, hold up... Does that look like the little psychopath of Hiiri's over there?
Vincent (to Poppy): Shit! Yes. Quick, duck behind me and pull your hat down a little lower. It doesn't look like we've been made. Fat Christ. He's a complication we DO NOT NEED tonight.
Carver: Did we just see someone we know, Other Carver? In the Tombs, Carver? We don't think so. We doubt that mandrake would sully himself with the slums. We need to stop obsessing, Other Carver. This is like the time we thought the woman selling meat pies was Captain Potter, Carver. Very true, Other Carver. She was a lovely distraction, though, wasn't she? All that screaming.
Poppy (to Vincent): Here, let's duck in the alley to the left, honey, it should offer up some more cover.
Hiiri (to Carver): What are you doing out here, little brother? I told you to meet me at the Hanged Man, not hang around in the market.
Carver: Perhaps we should see where that urchin wandered... (to Hiiri) Oh. Hello, ma'am. We didn't see you, ma'am. We're so sorry, ma'am. We became bored and were looking for something with which to entertain ourselves, ma'am. We are incorrigible, ma'am.
Hiiri (to Carver): Boys will be boys & all that. If you need to run off & play, while I meet with Maladori, I understand, Carver dear.
Carver (to Hiiri): No, ma'am. The Tombs are not as entertaining as we were led to believe. Nothing like Tin Town, ma'am. If it's agreeable to you, ma'am, we'd much rather meet Professor Maladori. We've heard such interesting things about her.
Hiiri (to Carver): Of course, little brother.
Poppy (to Vincent): Honey, is it safe, yet? As much as, I appreciate you trying to protect me, you pressing up against me is a bit distracting.
Vincent (to Poppy): Oh? Oh! I'm sorry, Poppy. It looks like Carver and Hiiri are headed towards The Hanged Man. Did you manage to hear any of their conversation?
Poppy (to Vincent): Oh... Uh, no honey, I was a tad distracted by... nevermind... Did you hear anything?
Vincent (to Poppy): I don't know what's more disturbing, hun. The fact that Hiiri's meeting with Maladori, the fact that Carver seems to be fixating on me, or the fact that Hiiri calls that pint-sized psycho "little brother."
Poppy (to Vincent): Well, those are all validly disturbing points, honey... And, it's a very good thing that we're getting out of here. Should we make our way back to the Falcon or would you like to press up against me in this alley for a little while longer?
Vincent (to Poppy): Oh. Heh. Well, as tempting as that sounds, I think we should get the hell out of here.
Poppy (to Vincent): Well then, let's go, honey...
A few minutes later:
Vincent (to Poppy): Woo! There's the Falcon. Let's head home. Need a hand up, hun?
Poppy (to Vincent): Thank you, honey... Ooh, I think your Doctor friend is trying to get your attention.
Vincent (to Poppy): Oops. So, she is. I'll be back in a flash.
Poppy (to Vincent): I'm going to open that bottle of rum while you're gone, honey, and pour myself a drink.
Vincent (to Poppy): I wouldn't blame you.
Thirty minutes later:
Vincent (to Poppy): Sorry for the delay, hun. I'm climbing back aboard now. I'm afraid the good doctor was bending my ear more than a bit.
Poppy (to Vincent): Heehee, it's alright... I am as drunk as a skunk, Vincent, which of course means skunks are just as drunk as I am.
Vincent (to Poppy): Hee hee. So you are. I'm glad the Falcon is a low-maintenance gal, & I can fly her by myself. Are you feeling a bit better?
Poppy (to Vincent): Oh honey, I should not of had that rum on an empty stomach...
Vincent (to Poppy): Oh my! Are you alright? I think I have some jerky on the ship if you need something in your stomach.
Poppy (to Vincent): I'll be fine, honey... I should have known better than to drink a rum with a humorous name. heehee. Thighslapper Rum. Honey, have you ever had sex on an airship? I mean, on this airship? Oh, wait... I don't really want to know that... Because, if you did, it would have been with the electric mayhem... which is what I've decided to call Percy from now on...
Vincent (to Poppy): Have I what? Oh. Oh good heavens. How much, HAVE you had to drink, hun? The electric mayhem? Oh...
Poppy (to Vincent): Only, one glass... but, I think the adrenalin rush & lack of food made me a bit silly.
Vincent (to Poppy): Hee hee hee. No, no. It's OK, hun. And I really shouldn't laugh at the electric mayhem comment... But, hee hee. Oh dear.
Poppy (to Vincent): I'm sorry, honey, I'm going to drink some water, eat some jerky, and get my sea legs back... or should it be air legs?
Vincent (to Poppy): Hee hee. Air legs, I suppose. Don't worry, hun. As long as you're not feeling too ill, you're fine. We should be home soon, at any rate. And no. I haven't had sex on the Falcon. Heh. DESPITE what the stories may say.
Poppy (to Vincent): Oh well, in that case, honey... would you like to? It could be just like in Empire Strikes Back... You can be Han.
Vincent (to Poppy): Oh my! I, uh... Wow. You are better than anyone I know at flustering me, hun. And, as tempting as that offer is, I, uh, I think I should actually fly the ship.
Poppy (to Vincent): You don't have to do this to impress me...
Vincent (to Poppy): Do what, hun?
Poppy (to Vincent): heehee, I was quoting the movie, honey... nevermind. I'll leave you alone.
Vincent (to Poppy): Oh. My. GOD. I cannot believe that I didn't pick up on a Star Wars quote. Clearly the run in with Carver and Hiiri has unnerved me more than I realized. I am ashamed!
Poppy (to Vincent): It's alright, honey, it wasn't one of the well-known quotes. I mean, if I had said I'd just as soon kiss a Wookiee or called you a scruffy looking nerfherder, I'm sure you'd have known right away. But, clearly you need to concentrate on piloting the ship & I'm feeling better, so I'll sit quietly.
Vincent (to Poppy): No, no. No need to spare my ego. I SHOULD be ashamed. When we get home, I shall turn in my Nerd Card.
Poppy (to Vincent): Oh... is that a real thing, honey?
Vincent (to Poppy): Oh! Hee hee. No. It's just a figure of speech. Sorry! We've docked, hun. Ready to crossover and get home?
Poppy (to Vincent): Oh... yes, of course, honey.
Vincent (to Poppy): Are you OK to walk? Do you want to get a little more water or food in your system, first?
Poppy (to Vincent): I'm fine, honey, really... I just feel a tad foolish, but I'll get over it.
Hiiri (to Carver): Mark my words, little brother, we will always be all right.... Simply because WE happen to other people.
Carver (to Hiiri): Of course, ma'am. It's the natural order of things, ma'am.
Vincent (to Poppy): Here we go, hun. Up and at 'em. Why do you feel foolish, hun?
Poppy (to Vincent): Mostly, for propositioning you... and, acting like a drunken idiot.
Vincent (to Poppy): Well, so far, you haven't acted like much of an idiot, sweetie. As for propositioning me... Hee. Well, far be it from me to complain that a beautiful woman finds me attractive.
Poppy (to Vincent): Well, honey, I just call 'em like I see 'em... And, speaking of calls, I do believe the couch is calling my name.
Vincent (to Poppy): You can take the bed if you want it, hun. I know you're feeling a bit poorly.
Poppy (to Vincent): No, no. You've been letting me have the bed too much. I'll be fine, honest. I don't feel woozy or boozy anymore.
Vincent (to Poppy): I am FAR too tired to debate the issue. But, if you want to join me, you're more than welcome. Oh... That's, um, not a proposition, hun, I just mean... Good lord. Why am I so exhausted now that I'm home? I just mean that if you want something softer than the couch, I certainly don't mind sharing sleeping space with you.
Poppy (to Vincent): The couch is fine, honey. I don't want to stress you out, relax & enjoy the bed unencumbered by company...
Vincent (to Poppy): I wouldn't call your company cumbersome by any stretch, and not just because you're among the few tinier than me.
Poppy (to Vincent): Can you just toss me my pajamas? It's the purple thing on the bed.
Vincent (to Poppy): Oh.., um, THESE are pajamas? I mean, yes. Here you are. I should, uh... Yes. I should go do some things. Yes. Things.
Poppy (to Vincent): They're new, honey, from some retro 1960's line of sleepwear. I thought they were darling. And, you know, if you wanted me to cuddle up in the bed with you, all you have to do is ask... Or are we back to the mixed signals, again?
Vincent (to Poppy): No, you're right, hun. I wouldn't mind some company tonight. Partially, because Hiiri just unnerves me... And, uh, partially because, um, well... You got me more that a little hot and bothered on board the Falcon. Not that I'm expecting anything to happen, you understand!
Poppy (to Vincent): Oh well, I'll put on my men's pajamas that I normally wear & join you in the bed, then and, I have absolutely no expectations, honey.
Vincent (to Poppy): Right. OK. Good. Uh, thank you, hun. I know this gets a bit strange for me...
