Vincent (to Poppy): Morning, hun. I hope you slept well. Are you feeling better?
Poppy (to Vincent): Honey... I think I'm dead.
Vincent (to Poppy): Well, you look like you're a member of the living to me. Albeit barely. How do you feel?
Poppy (to Vincent): I know I'm alive by the fact that I ache all over... and, not in a good way.
Vincent (to Poppy): Oh dear. It feels like you're running a fever today. I'll get you some aspirin and OJ. Do you want another blanket?
Poppy (to Vincent): Yes, please and thank you.
Vincent (to Poppy): No worries, hun. It's not a problem. I've got blankets, painkillers, OJ and hot tea. Let me know if you need anything else.
Poppy (to Vincent): Thank you, honey. I think I'm just going to read for a bit & then, go back to sleep.
Vincent (to Poppy): Best thing for it, hun. I can make some of my sister's "magic soup" tonight if you're up to eating. Take care.
A few hours later:
Ripper (to Vincent): Hey Captain, are you busy?
Vincent (to Ripper): Not at the moment, Professor. What can I do for you?
Ripper (to Vincent): I know this may sound an odd request, but I just finished writing the last Sebastian Dearheart novel and I wanted to get your opinion on it, before I sent it off to the publisher.
Vincent (to Ripper): Oh! Well, that is rather an odd request, but I have to admit to being dead curious.
Ripper (to Vincent): Well, I don't feel right about continuing the series. I'm hoping to get one of my other books published. I can swing by & drop off the manuscript today, if you like?
Vincent (to Ripper): Sure. I'm going to be home all afternoon. I'm making soup for Poppy. You can drop it off any time you like.
Ripper (to Vincent): Oh, is Poppy not feeling well? Do you need me to pick up anything for her on my way over? I can be there in fifteen minutes or so.
Vincent (to Ripper): I've got orange juice, tea, painkillers, and I'm making soup. Oh! If you could pick me up some lemons and honey, I'd thank you. I can make her a couple of hot toddies. I don't know if they help medicinally, but I know I always feel better after a few.
Ripper (to Vincent): Will do! I'll see you shortly.
Thirty minutes later:
Ripper (to Vincent): Knock, knock, Captain... the door was open. I hope you don't mind that I let myself in. I bring lemons & honey.
Vincent (to Ripper): Oh! Oh my God! You scared me! I'm so sorry, Professor! I usually don't pull knives on my guests, honestly. I've been a bit on edge the past few days. Heh. Clearly.
Ripper (to Vincent): Sorry, my fault... Why on edge, Captain?
Vincent (to Ripper): Good gracious, I'm sorry. Poppy and I crossed-over a few times this week. Once to get rid of that bloody key and once to run some supplies for a settlement in the Territories. Things on the other side are tense, and odd I suppose, since the portals have closed. It's hard to explain. It puts me ill at ease. Running into Hiiri and that Carver character certainly didn't help matters. Ugh!
Ripper (to Vincent): Wow, I see I've been out of the loop while I've had my nose to the grindstone.
Vincent (to Ripper): Hee hee. Well, don't feel too badly about it. All this has happened in the past few days. And all this from someone who is supposedly retired. Ha!
Ripper (to Vincent): So, you're really going to retire completely?
Vincent (to Ripper): I keep saying that.
Ripper (to Vincent): So, you're not quite sure you want to quit, huh?
Vincent (to Ripper): Honestly? I don't think I do. I'm finding it MUCH more difficult to disengage than I thought it would be. But I really should. I'll get used to the idea sooner or later, I'm sure.
Ripper (to Vincent): Can I ask you why you're so adamant about quitting? You keep saying that it's pretty boring normally, so has all of this intrigue & craziness made you lose your taste for it or are you just retiring because it's the "responsible" thing to do?
Vincent (to Ripper): Oh. Well... Really, I don't want what happened to my sister to happen to anyone else I love because of my day job. Just because this is the only thing for which I seem to have a talent... Well, that's not exactly true. I can be a charmer, but I'd rather stay a shitty bartender than go into the family business.
Ripper (to Vincent): Heh. Fair enough. Here's the manuscript... I should warn you, it's not like the other books, I'll want your honest opinion.
Vincent (to Ripper): Well, I'll be happy to read it for you, but are you sure you wouldn't rather I be kind than honest? :-P
Ripper (to Vincent): No your honest opinion is just fine. And, I've gotta run to class, but please give Poppy my regards. I hope she feels better.
Vincent (to Ripper): Thanks for the lemons and honey, Professor. I'll let Poppy know you sent your regards.
Mouse (to Eep): Hey sexy, I'm going down to the basement to workout, while dinner is in the oven. Can you come get me if the timer goes off?
Eep (to Mouse): I think I can handle that.
Mouse (to Eep): Thank you. If you feel like fixing a salad to go with the quiche, the stuff is in the fridge. :-)
Poppy (to Vincent): Hey honey, is that soup I smell? I'm starving.
Vincent (to Poppy): It is, hun. Would you like a hot toddie to go with it? Ripper sent his regards along with some lemons, honey and a copy of his latest novel.
Poppy (to Vincent): Oooh, a hot toddy be wonderful. He dropped of a copy of his book? Oh right, he writes those silly Sebastian Dearheart books… They're so silly and steamy... I read them all because my friend Constance thought they were terrific.
Vincent (to Poppy): Hmmm. Those are the ones. Apparently, he's finishing the series, and he wants my opinion on this last one. I read the first one, on your counterpart's insistence. Thank heaven I didn't read any of the others! Hee hee. Tres awkward!
Poppy (to Vincent): I can imagine, honey. There's quite a few sex scenes in there, Sebastian gets on with everyone.
Vincent (to Poppy): So I've heard. I'm not sure if I should be insulted or proud. Here's your hot toddie and soup, hun. Do you want anything else to go with it? I think I have some bread here somewhere...
Poppy (to Vincent): No, no... this is fine, honey. You've done enough already.
Vincent (to Poppy): I haven't done anything spectacular. Really. Are you feeling any better?
Poppy (to Vincent): I think so, honey. This soup is delicious.
Vincent (to Poppy): It's my sister's "magic soup." Guaranteed to cure what ails you.
Poppy (to Vincent): Well, between that, the hot toddy, and your tender care, I should be back to normal in no time.
Vincent (to Poppy): I'm glad you're feeling better, hun.
Poppy (to Vincent): Is it okay if I curl up on the couch & watch TV, honey? I'm feeling a bit lonely & pathetic hiding out in the bedroom.
Vincent (to Poppy): Of course, hun! Do you want another hot toddie to take with you?
Poppy (to Vincent): Oh, that would be wonderful, honey.
Vincent (to Poppy): Here you go, sweetie. I'm feeling a little pent up, so I'm going to go blow off some steam. Need anything else before I go?
Poppy (to Vincent): No, I'm good & if I need anything else, I'm sure I can handle it. Thank you.
Vincent (to Poppy): Feel better, hun! I'll see you in a few. (to Mouse) Hey, sweetie! Can I borrow your punching bags for a little bit?
Mouse (to Vincent): Uh, sure, if you don't mind me being down here with it. I just started my workout.
Vincent (to Mouse): Hee hee. Well, I don't mind you being there, but if you need some time to yourself, I understand. I can go for a jog instead.
Mouse (to Vincent): No, no. I don't mind, if you don't mind. I just needed some thinking space.
Vincent (to Mouse): You and me both. Is everything OK, hun?
Mouse (to Vincent): I'm not sure I want to stay at the Bread Tree, but I'm not sure I want to go back to deejaying full time... so I thought a little time to clear my head might do me some good... What's got you in the mood to punch things, little brother?
Vincent (to Mouse): Oh, the same thing. I'm trying to clear my head.
Mouse (to Vincent): Anything you want to talk about or would you rather just punch stuff?
Vincent (to Mouse): Hee hee. Maybe one and then the other. I'm just trying to work out how I feel about retiring I suppose. And what I'm going to do with myself now.
Mouse (to Vincent): Well then, punch away & feel free to babble at me, if you feel the need.
An hour or so later:
Vincent (to Mouse): Thanks, sweetie. I'll figure out how I feel sooner or later. I should get home.
45 minutes later:
Poppy (to Vincent): Hey honey, how was your wanderings?
Vincent (to Poppy): Not too bad, hun. I went and bothered my sister for a while, and then went for a walk. How are you feeling?
Poppy (to Vincent): Thankfully, human again. It must have been some kind of 24 hour bug.
Vincent (to Poppy): I'm glad to hear it. Hopefully, I'll escape getting it myself. Oof. I think I may have overdone it a bit tonight.
Poppy (to Vincent): I did some laundry and washed the sheets on the bed, honey. So it's all yours. I'll just stay on the couch. That should help to prevent you from getting it.
Vincent (to Poppy): Good heavens! You were quite the productive one this evening.You probably should have been taking it easy, hun.
Poppy (to Vincent): I started feeling antsy, I couldn't help myself, honey.
Vincent (to Poppy): I should probably start that manuscript of the Professor's. I don't suppose I should keep him waiting too long.
Poppy (to Vincent): heehee. I gave it a little peek, honey. It seems different than his other books, at least from the few chapters that I read.
Vincent (to Poppy): Oh? Different better or different worse?
Poppy (to Vincent): Well, I'm not a great judge of literature, by any stretch of the imagination but it seems a bit more serious & less steamy. But, like I said, I only read a few chapters.
Vincent (to Poppy): Oh really? Hee hee. I suppose it was just too strange for him to continue writing the character the same way. After he learned he knew the source material, after all. Oh my... I wonder if the Empress will be angry with him for not making it steamy enough?
Poppy (to Vincent): I don't know, honey, I'm sure he has something up his sleeve to stay in her good favor. And speaking of good, honey, I should bid you, bonne nuit and get some sleep. I want to be in perfect condition tomorrow.
Vincent (to Poppy): Let's hope so. Good night, hun. I'm off to bed with an non-steamy, steamy novel. I'll see you tomorrow.
Poppy (to Vincent): Honey... I think I'm dead.
Vincent (to Poppy): Well, you look like you're a member of the living to me. Albeit barely. How do you feel?
Poppy (to Vincent): I know I'm alive by the fact that I ache all over... and, not in a good way.
Vincent (to Poppy): Oh dear. It feels like you're running a fever today. I'll get you some aspirin and OJ. Do you want another blanket?
Poppy (to Vincent): Yes, please and thank you.
Vincent (to Poppy): No worries, hun. It's not a problem. I've got blankets, painkillers, OJ and hot tea. Let me know if you need anything else.
Poppy (to Vincent): Thank you, honey. I think I'm just going to read for a bit & then, go back to sleep.
Vincent (to Poppy): Best thing for it, hun. I can make some of my sister's "magic soup" tonight if you're up to eating. Take care.
A few hours later:
Ripper (to Vincent): Hey Captain, are you busy?
Vincent (to Ripper): Not at the moment, Professor. What can I do for you?
Ripper (to Vincent): I know this may sound an odd request, but I just finished writing the last Sebastian Dearheart novel and I wanted to get your opinion on it, before I sent it off to the publisher.
Vincent (to Ripper): Oh! Well, that is rather an odd request, but I have to admit to being dead curious.
Ripper (to Vincent): Well, I don't feel right about continuing the series. I'm hoping to get one of my other books published. I can swing by & drop off the manuscript today, if you like?
Vincent (to Ripper): Sure. I'm going to be home all afternoon. I'm making soup for Poppy. You can drop it off any time you like.
Ripper (to Vincent): Oh, is Poppy not feeling well? Do you need me to pick up anything for her on my way over? I can be there in fifteen minutes or so.
Vincent (to Ripper): I've got orange juice, tea, painkillers, and I'm making soup. Oh! If you could pick me up some lemons and honey, I'd thank you. I can make her a couple of hot toddies. I don't know if they help medicinally, but I know I always feel better after a few.
Ripper (to Vincent): Will do! I'll see you shortly.
Thirty minutes later:
Ripper (to Vincent): Knock, knock, Captain... the door was open. I hope you don't mind that I let myself in. I bring lemons & honey.
Vincent (to Ripper): Oh! Oh my God! You scared me! I'm so sorry, Professor! I usually don't pull knives on my guests, honestly. I've been a bit on edge the past few days. Heh. Clearly.
Ripper (to Vincent): Sorry, my fault... Why on edge, Captain?
Vincent (to Ripper): Good gracious, I'm sorry. Poppy and I crossed-over a few times this week. Once to get rid of that bloody key and once to run some supplies for a settlement in the Territories. Things on the other side are tense, and odd I suppose, since the portals have closed. It's hard to explain. It puts me ill at ease. Running into Hiiri and that Carver character certainly didn't help matters. Ugh!
Ripper (to Vincent): Wow, I see I've been out of the loop while I've had my nose to the grindstone.
Vincent (to Ripper): Hee hee. Well, don't feel too badly about it. All this has happened in the past few days. And all this from someone who is supposedly retired. Ha!
Ripper (to Vincent): So, you're really going to retire completely?
Vincent (to Ripper): I keep saying that.
Ripper (to Vincent): So, you're not quite sure you want to quit, huh?
Vincent (to Ripper): Honestly? I don't think I do. I'm finding it MUCH more difficult to disengage than I thought it would be. But I really should. I'll get used to the idea sooner or later, I'm sure.
Ripper (to Vincent): Can I ask you why you're so adamant about quitting? You keep saying that it's pretty boring normally, so has all of this intrigue & craziness made you lose your taste for it or are you just retiring because it's the "responsible" thing to do?
Vincent (to Ripper): Oh. Well... Really, I don't want what happened to my sister to happen to anyone else I love because of my day job. Just because this is the only thing for which I seem to have a talent... Well, that's not exactly true. I can be a charmer, but I'd rather stay a shitty bartender than go into the family business.
Ripper (to Vincent): Heh. Fair enough. Here's the manuscript... I should warn you, it's not like the other books, I'll want your honest opinion.
Vincent (to Ripper): Well, I'll be happy to read it for you, but are you sure you wouldn't rather I be kind than honest? :-P
Ripper (to Vincent): No your honest opinion is just fine. And, I've gotta run to class, but please give Poppy my regards. I hope she feels better.
Vincent (to Ripper): Thanks for the lemons and honey, Professor. I'll let Poppy know you sent your regards.
Mouse (to Eep): Hey sexy, I'm going down to the basement to workout, while dinner is in the oven. Can you come get me if the timer goes off?
Eep (to Mouse): I think I can handle that.
Mouse (to Eep): Thank you. If you feel like fixing a salad to go with the quiche, the stuff is in the fridge. :-)
Poppy (to Vincent): Hey honey, is that soup I smell? I'm starving.
Vincent (to Poppy): It is, hun. Would you like a hot toddie to go with it? Ripper sent his regards along with some lemons, honey and a copy of his latest novel.
Poppy (to Vincent): Oooh, a hot toddy be wonderful. He dropped of a copy of his book? Oh right, he writes those silly Sebastian Dearheart books… They're so silly and steamy... I read them all because my friend Constance thought they were terrific.
Vincent (to Poppy): Hmmm. Those are the ones. Apparently, he's finishing the series, and he wants my opinion on this last one. I read the first one, on your counterpart's insistence. Thank heaven I didn't read any of the others! Hee hee. Tres awkward!
Poppy (to Vincent): I can imagine, honey. There's quite a few sex scenes in there, Sebastian gets on with everyone.
Vincent (to Poppy): So I've heard. I'm not sure if I should be insulted or proud. Here's your hot toddie and soup, hun. Do you want anything else to go with it? I think I have some bread here somewhere...
Poppy (to Vincent): No, no... this is fine, honey. You've done enough already.
Vincent (to Poppy): I haven't done anything spectacular. Really. Are you feeling any better?
Poppy (to Vincent): I think so, honey. This soup is delicious.
Vincent (to Poppy): It's my sister's "magic soup." Guaranteed to cure what ails you.
Poppy (to Vincent): Well, between that, the hot toddy, and your tender care, I should be back to normal in no time.
Vincent (to Poppy): I'm glad you're feeling better, hun.
Poppy (to Vincent): Is it okay if I curl up on the couch & watch TV, honey? I'm feeling a bit lonely & pathetic hiding out in the bedroom.
Vincent (to Poppy): Of course, hun! Do you want another hot toddie to take with you?
Poppy (to Vincent): Oh, that would be wonderful, honey.
Vincent (to Poppy): Here you go, sweetie. I'm feeling a little pent up, so I'm going to go blow off some steam. Need anything else before I go?
Poppy (to Vincent): No, I'm good & if I need anything else, I'm sure I can handle it. Thank you.
Vincent (to Poppy): Feel better, hun! I'll see you in a few. (to Mouse) Hey, sweetie! Can I borrow your punching bags for a little bit?
Mouse (to Vincent): Uh, sure, if you don't mind me being down here with it. I just started my workout.
Vincent (to Mouse): Hee hee. Well, I don't mind you being there, but if you need some time to yourself, I understand. I can go for a jog instead.
Mouse (to Vincent): No, no. I don't mind, if you don't mind. I just needed some thinking space.
Vincent (to Mouse): You and me both. Is everything OK, hun?
Mouse (to Vincent): I'm not sure I want to stay at the Bread Tree, but I'm not sure I want to go back to deejaying full time... so I thought a little time to clear my head might do me some good... What's got you in the mood to punch things, little brother?
Vincent (to Mouse): Oh, the same thing. I'm trying to clear my head.
Mouse (to Vincent): Anything you want to talk about or would you rather just punch stuff?
Vincent (to Mouse): Hee hee. Maybe one and then the other. I'm just trying to work out how I feel about retiring I suppose. And what I'm going to do with myself now.
Mouse (to Vincent): Well then, punch away & feel free to babble at me, if you feel the need.
An hour or so later:
Vincent (to Mouse): Thanks, sweetie. I'll figure out how I feel sooner or later. I should get home.
45 minutes later:
Poppy (to Vincent): Hey honey, how was your wanderings?
Vincent (to Poppy): Not too bad, hun. I went and bothered my sister for a while, and then went for a walk. How are you feeling?
Poppy (to Vincent): Thankfully, human again. It must have been some kind of 24 hour bug.
Vincent (to Poppy): I'm glad to hear it. Hopefully, I'll escape getting it myself. Oof. I think I may have overdone it a bit tonight.
Poppy (to Vincent): I did some laundry and washed the sheets on the bed, honey. So it's all yours. I'll just stay on the couch. That should help to prevent you from getting it.
Vincent (to Poppy): Good heavens! You were quite the productive one this evening.You probably should have been taking it easy, hun.
Poppy (to Vincent): I started feeling antsy, I couldn't help myself, honey.
Vincent (to Poppy): I should probably start that manuscript of the Professor's. I don't suppose I should keep him waiting too long.
Poppy (to Vincent): heehee. I gave it a little peek, honey. It seems different than his other books, at least from the few chapters that I read.
Vincent (to Poppy): Oh? Different better or different worse?
Poppy (to Vincent): Well, I'm not a great judge of literature, by any stretch of the imagination but it seems a bit more serious & less steamy. But, like I said, I only read a few chapters.
Vincent (to Poppy): Oh really? Hee hee. I suppose it was just too strange for him to continue writing the character the same way. After he learned he knew the source material, after all. Oh my... I wonder if the Empress will be angry with him for not making it steamy enough?
Poppy (to Vincent): I don't know, honey, I'm sure he has something up his sleeve to stay in her good favor. And speaking of good, honey, I should bid you, bonne nuit and get some sleep. I want to be in perfect condition tomorrow.
Vincent (to Poppy): Let's hope so. Good night, hun. I'm off to bed with an non-steamy, steamy novel. I'll see you tomorrow.
