Mouse (to Eep): Good morning, sleepyhead... do you want some coffee & breakfast before you head to work?
Eep (to Mouse): Yeah. Coffee is good. How are you feeling? You were kinda, uh, floor dwelling last night.
Mouse (to Eep): Like a giant loser... but, I'm thankfully not hungover.
Eep (to Mouse): What? Don't be dumb! You're not a loser. Everyone gets fired, or uh, quits at some point.
Mouse (to Eep): You're really not going to let me mope about this at all are you?
Eep (to Mouse): Hey. I let you floor drink all night yesterday. You can mope if you wanna, but I'm not gonna let you call yourself a loser. You'll just have to deal with me thinking highly of you. Sorry. :p
Mouse (to Eep): Aww, thanks. I think pretty highly of you, too. I just don't know what to do. I think I'm not cut out for normal work anymore... I think my time on the other side has ruined me for that sort of thing.
Eep (to Mouse): Wow. Uh... Shit. I mean, you might just need time to readjust. Or, I dunno... Not. I wish I knew what to tell you. I'd better get the fuck to work. Take it easy. It'll work out.
Mouse (to Eep): Okay, have a good day.
Poppy (to Vincent): Hey, honey. I brought you a latte. I'm gonna head over to my apartment. I'm having a bed delivered.
Vincent (to Poppy): You're an angel, hun. Do you need any help putting together the bed?
Poppy (to Vincent): Possibly, honey. Are you offering to help? :-)
Vincent (to Poppy): What kind of gentleman would I be if I refused a lady in need of assistance with her bed. ;-}
Poppy (to Vincent): Oh my... Oh well, honey, two can play at that game... maybe, we can test it out after it's set up? ;-)
Vincent (to Poppy): Hee hee. Well, who can say what the afternoon may bring? :-P
Poppy (to Vincent): Well, head over when you can... oh, and bring your bathing suit, honey. We can go swimming later.
Vincent (to Poppy): Ooo. Swimming! You certainly know how to get a boy's attention, hun.
An hour or so later:
Vincent (to Mouse): How are you feeling this afternoon, sweetie?
Mouse (to Vincent): Like a loser, but I'm getting over it. How are you, little brother?
Vincent (to Mouse): Awww, hun. I'm sorry. I'm doing fine. I'm heading over to Poppy's apartment to help her assemble furniture. Do you happen to remember discussing going into business with me last night?
Mouse (to Vincent): Of course, I do.
Vincent (to Mouse): Well? Still interested?
Mouse (to Vincent): Honestly, I am, but I need to talk to Eep & I don't know how I'm going to do that.
Vincent (to Mouse): Mmmm. That you do. I don't envy you that conversation, sweetie.
Mouse (to Vincent): Part of me wishes I could just not tell him, but I'd be a hypocrite and, it would be terrible when he found out what I was doing. He wasn't very happy when I wanted to go over with you the last time, so I imagine he's going to hate this.
Vincent (to Mouse): Oh, hun. I'm sorry. I wouldn't recommend NOT telling him. I mean, how mad you were at me, when I did the same to you? If I had it to do over again, I certainly wouldn't have made the same decision. BUT, you're right. I don't think he's going to be thrilled with the idea of you working over on the other side.
Mouse (to Vincent): Heh, you wanna talk to him for me? :-p
Vincent (to Mouse): Well, if you think it will help, I'm willing to chat with him. Are you sure that you don't want to talk to him first, though?
Mouse (to Vincent): No, it's okay... I'll talk to him, first. But, I may need you as backup. I mean, if you actually want me to do it with you. I know, I kinda put you on the spot yesterday. And, if you were just saying it to be nice, I'd completely understand.
Vincent (to Mouse): Sweetie, I was completely serious. If you want to do this with me, I'd be lucky to have you. Goodness knows I trust you enough! Poppy was interested in helping as well. Won't we be the sexiest pirate crew Britannia has ever seen?
Mouse (to Vincent): Heehee, if that's the goal, you should ask Eep & Ripper, too... :-P
Vincent (to Mouse): Honestly? If you end up joining me, I'm half expecting your gentleman to tag along.
Mouse (to Vincent): Oh, and I was thinking about the whole danger thing... Because, I have a counterpart & have to use a device to crossover doesn't that mean that I'll end up coming back to this side, eventually?
Vincent (to Mouse): ... Yes. That's true. You'll need a stabilizer to keep you from getting pulled back through to our time.
Mouse (to Vincent): So, if we get caught, I could come here & then go back and free you. I'd be like a secret weapon.
Vincent (to Mouse): Good heavens! You're thinking like a pirate all ready.
Mouse (to Vincent): Well, that's good to know... I may have to use that as a talking point when I bring it up to Eep.
Vincent (to Mouse): Good luck, hun!
A couple hours later:
Poppy (to Vincent): Hey honey, I'm going to go for a soak in the hot tub & then a swim... Care to join me?
Vincent (to Poppy): That sounds divine. This is a nice bed, hun. Your taste is impeccable.
Poppy (to Vincent): Heehee, as if there was any doubt, honey...
Vincent (to Poppy): Hee hee. I'm sorry if I sounded like I doubted it.
Poppy (to Vincent): Honey, is that your bathing suit?
Vincent (to Poppy): What else? Why?
Poppy (to Vincent): I, uh, have never seen anything like it before...
Vincent (to Poppy): Hee hee. I wouldn't imagine. I always liked the look of old-fashioned bathing suits, but I've always found them a bit too modest, I suppose. I modded this one myself.
Poppy (to Vincent): Well, I'm impressed with it in, oh so many ways, honey...
Vincent (to Poppy): Hee. Impressive is my aim. :-P
Poppy (to Vincent): I'm gonna throw on my suit, I'll be right back, honey.
Vincent (to Poppy): Speaking of impressive, hun... Good gracious!
Poppy (to Vincent): It's nothing special, honey... Let's go soak, shall we?
Vincent (to Poppy): I would disagree, hun. Of course, it could just be the girl in the suit. :-P
Three hours later:
Eep (to Mouse): Hey, pretty lady. How's things?
Mouse (to Eep): Fine... Are you hungry? I'm making Thai.
Eep (to Mouse): Oh my God, YES. That sounds delicious. Are you feeling better? You seem a little... I dunno.
Mouse (to Eep): Oh well, it's probably because I want to talk to you about something & I don't know how to do it. And, I'm feeling a bit chicken. Food will be ready in a minute... do you want a beer?
Eep (to Mouse): Oh. Um, yeah. A beer would be great. So. Uh, what do you wanna talk to me about?
Mouse (to Eep): Oh, uh, well, I may have found another job, but I'm not sure you're going to like it.
Eep (to Mouse): Oh. Uh... What kinda job? Hit man? Stripper-gram? Fluffer? As long as it's not like dangerous or stupid, I don't care. I work in a bookstore that caters to over-privileged suburban kids, so it's not like I can point fingers. What job?
Mouse (to Eep): I, uh, want to work with Vincent... As a "pirate".
Eep (to Mouse): Oh.
Mouse (to Eep): You're upset. Come on, let me have it. Tell me I'm being crazy, that it's dangerous, that you don't want me to do it.
Eep (to Mouse): Right. Tell you everything you already know.
Mouse (to Eep): Oh... okay.
Eep (to Mouse): Look, I, uh... I'm going for a walk. I'm not really hungry. I'll, uh... I'll see you later.
Mouse (to Vincent): Little brother, I think I fucked up... I tried talking to Eep & he's skipping Thai food & going for a walk.
Vincent (to Mouse): Calm down, hun. What did he say? He might just need some time to himself to think. You know how he is.
Mouse (to Vincent): He said he was going for a walk. He wasn't really hungry & he'd see me later.
Vincent (to Mouse): Ah. He does that when he's thinking. Don't worry, sweetie. It'll be alright. How are you holding up?
Mouse (to Vincent): I'm okay, I guess. I just don't know what I'm going to do. I mean, I don't want to lose him, but I really want to do it.
Vincent (to Mouse): Oh, sweetheart. You don't know that you're going to have to choose one or the other just yet.
Mouse (to Vincent): I know, I'm just preparing myself for the worst, I guess… I'm going to go take a bath.
A couple hours later:
Eep (to Mouse): Um. Hey.
Mouse (to Eep): Hey...
Eep (to Mouse): So... um, I'm sorry I left. I, uh, I had to clear my head.
Mouse (to Eep): I understand...
Eep (to Mouse): Um. So, you wanna work with Vincent?
Mouse (to Eep): Yes, I would, but I won't do it if you're not okay with it. But, I hope you will be.
Eep (to Mouse): Well, I'm not fucking thrilled, that's for sure. But, I don't get to tell you what to do with your life. Um... Why do you wanna do this?
Mouse (to Eep): Because, for four months I lived in a cell, tortured by a mad man & I can't just go back to my normal life. I keep trying, but I feel like I'm living a lie... I mean, you're the only stable part in it. I want you to do it with us.
Eep (to Mouse): Wait... uh, you what?
Mouse (to Eep): I want you to do it with us, at least, for a little while. Vincent says it's normally boring & not nearly as dangerous as it's been recently. So, if you come with us, you'll see that it's okay & you won't worry so much. And, who knows? I may get it out of my system & be able to go back to normal.
Eep (to Mouse): Normal? Heh. I'm not sure that we were ever there to begin with.
Mouse (to Eep): Well, no. But normal for us. :-)
Eep (to Mouse): OK. If you wanna do this then OK. Still not thrilled, mind you, but, well... Like I said, I don't get to tell you what to do with your life.
Mouse (to Eep): Of course you get a say. This affects you, that's why I wanted to talk about it.
Eep (to Mouse): Well, yeah. I know that, but you wanna do this. And I dunno. I feel like it's not fair to say no cause I'm freaked about it.
Mouse (to Eep): I love you.
Eep (to Mouse): I know. I love you too. Its why I'm trying not to freak out or be a huge dickhead about this.
Eep (to Mouse): Yeah. Coffee is good. How are you feeling? You were kinda, uh, floor dwelling last night.
Mouse (to Eep): Like a giant loser... but, I'm thankfully not hungover.
Eep (to Mouse): What? Don't be dumb! You're not a loser. Everyone gets fired, or uh, quits at some point.
Mouse (to Eep): You're really not going to let me mope about this at all are you?
Eep (to Mouse): Hey. I let you floor drink all night yesterday. You can mope if you wanna, but I'm not gonna let you call yourself a loser. You'll just have to deal with me thinking highly of you. Sorry. :p
Mouse (to Eep): Aww, thanks. I think pretty highly of you, too. I just don't know what to do. I think I'm not cut out for normal work anymore... I think my time on the other side has ruined me for that sort of thing.
Eep (to Mouse): Wow. Uh... Shit. I mean, you might just need time to readjust. Or, I dunno... Not. I wish I knew what to tell you. I'd better get the fuck to work. Take it easy. It'll work out.
Mouse (to Eep): Okay, have a good day.
Poppy (to Vincent): Hey, honey. I brought you a latte. I'm gonna head over to my apartment. I'm having a bed delivered.
Vincent (to Poppy): You're an angel, hun. Do you need any help putting together the bed?
Poppy (to Vincent): Possibly, honey. Are you offering to help? :-)
Vincent (to Poppy): What kind of gentleman would I be if I refused a lady in need of assistance with her bed. ;-}
Poppy (to Vincent): Oh my... Oh well, honey, two can play at that game... maybe, we can test it out after it's set up? ;-)
Vincent (to Poppy): Hee hee. Well, who can say what the afternoon may bring? :-P
Poppy (to Vincent): Well, head over when you can... oh, and bring your bathing suit, honey. We can go swimming later.
Vincent (to Poppy): Ooo. Swimming! You certainly know how to get a boy's attention, hun.
An hour or so later:
Vincent (to Mouse): How are you feeling this afternoon, sweetie?
Mouse (to Vincent): Like a loser, but I'm getting over it. How are you, little brother?
Vincent (to Mouse): Awww, hun. I'm sorry. I'm doing fine. I'm heading over to Poppy's apartment to help her assemble furniture. Do you happen to remember discussing going into business with me last night?
Mouse (to Vincent): Of course, I do.
Vincent (to Mouse): Well? Still interested?
Mouse (to Vincent): Honestly, I am, but I need to talk to Eep & I don't know how I'm going to do that.
Vincent (to Mouse): Mmmm. That you do. I don't envy you that conversation, sweetie.
Mouse (to Vincent): Part of me wishes I could just not tell him, but I'd be a hypocrite and, it would be terrible when he found out what I was doing. He wasn't very happy when I wanted to go over with you the last time, so I imagine he's going to hate this.
Vincent (to Mouse): Oh, hun. I'm sorry. I wouldn't recommend NOT telling him. I mean, how mad you were at me, when I did the same to you? If I had it to do over again, I certainly wouldn't have made the same decision. BUT, you're right. I don't think he's going to be thrilled with the idea of you working over on the other side.
Mouse (to Vincent): Heh, you wanna talk to him for me? :-p
Vincent (to Mouse): Well, if you think it will help, I'm willing to chat with him. Are you sure that you don't want to talk to him first, though?
Mouse (to Vincent): No, it's okay... I'll talk to him, first. But, I may need you as backup. I mean, if you actually want me to do it with you. I know, I kinda put you on the spot yesterday. And, if you were just saying it to be nice, I'd completely understand.
Vincent (to Mouse): Sweetie, I was completely serious. If you want to do this with me, I'd be lucky to have you. Goodness knows I trust you enough! Poppy was interested in helping as well. Won't we be the sexiest pirate crew Britannia has ever seen?
Mouse (to Vincent): Heehee, if that's the goal, you should ask Eep & Ripper, too... :-P
Vincent (to Mouse): Honestly? If you end up joining me, I'm half expecting your gentleman to tag along.
Mouse (to Vincent): Oh, and I was thinking about the whole danger thing... Because, I have a counterpart & have to use a device to crossover doesn't that mean that I'll end up coming back to this side, eventually?
Vincent (to Mouse): ... Yes. That's true. You'll need a stabilizer to keep you from getting pulled back through to our time.
Mouse (to Vincent): So, if we get caught, I could come here & then go back and free you. I'd be like a secret weapon.
Vincent (to Mouse): Good heavens! You're thinking like a pirate all ready.
Mouse (to Vincent): Well, that's good to know... I may have to use that as a talking point when I bring it up to Eep.
Vincent (to Mouse): Good luck, hun!
A couple hours later:
Poppy (to Vincent): Hey honey, I'm going to go for a soak in the hot tub & then a swim... Care to join me?
Vincent (to Poppy): That sounds divine. This is a nice bed, hun. Your taste is impeccable.
Poppy (to Vincent): Heehee, as if there was any doubt, honey...
Vincent (to Poppy): Hee hee. I'm sorry if I sounded like I doubted it.
Poppy (to Vincent): Honey, is that your bathing suit?
Vincent (to Poppy): What else? Why?
Poppy (to Vincent): I, uh, have never seen anything like it before...
Vincent (to Poppy): Hee hee. I wouldn't imagine. I always liked the look of old-fashioned bathing suits, but I've always found them a bit too modest, I suppose. I modded this one myself.
Poppy (to Vincent): Well, I'm impressed with it in, oh so many ways, honey...
Vincent (to Poppy): Hee. Impressive is my aim. :-P
Poppy (to Vincent): I'm gonna throw on my suit, I'll be right back, honey.
Vincent (to Poppy): Speaking of impressive, hun... Good gracious!
Poppy (to Vincent): It's nothing special, honey... Let's go soak, shall we?
Vincent (to Poppy): I would disagree, hun. Of course, it could just be the girl in the suit. :-P
Three hours later:
Eep (to Mouse): Hey, pretty lady. How's things?
Mouse (to Eep): Fine... Are you hungry? I'm making Thai.
Eep (to Mouse): Oh my God, YES. That sounds delicious. Are you feeling better? You seem a little... I dunno.
Mouse (to Eep): Oh well, it's probably because I want to talk to you about something & I don't know how to do it. And, I'm feeling a bit chicken. Food will be ready in a minute... do you want a beer?
Eep (to Mouse): Oh. Um, yeah. A beer would be great. So. Uh, what do you wanna talk to me about?
Mouse (to Eep): Oh, uh, well, I may have found another job, but I'm not sure you're going to like it.
Eep (to Mouse): Oh. Uh... What kinda job? Hit man? Stripper-gram? Fluffer? As long as it's not like dangerous or stupid, I don't care. I work in a bookstore that caters to over-privileged suburban kids, so it's not like I can point fingers. What job?
Mouse (to Eep): I, uh, want to work with Vincent... As a "pirate".
Eep (to Mouse): Oh.
Mouse (to Eep): You're upset. Come on, let me have it. Tell me I'm being crazy, that it's dangerous, that you don't want me to do it.
Eep (to Mouse): Right. Tell you everything you already know.
Mouse (to Eep): Oh... okay.
Eep (to Mouse): Look, I, uh... I'm going for a walk. I'm not really hungry. I'll, uh... I'll see you later.
Mouse (to Vincent): Little brother, I think I fucked up... I tried talking to Eep & he's skipping Thai food & going for a walk.
Vincent (to Mouse): Calm down, hun. What did he say? He might just need some time to himself to think. You know how he is.
Mouse (to Vincent): He said he was going for a walk. He wasn't really hungry & he'd see me later.
Vincent (to Mouse): Ah. He does that when he's thinking. Don't worry, sweetie. It'll be alright. How are you holding up?
Mouse (to Vincent): I'm okay, I guess. I just don't know what I'm going to do. I mean, I don't want to lose him, but I really want to do it.
Vincent (to Mouse): Oh, sweetheart. You don't know that you're going to have to choose one or the other just yet.
Mouse (to Vincent): I know, I'm just preparing myself for the worst, I guess… I'm going to go take a bath.
A couple hours later:
Eep (to Mouse): Um. Hey.
Mouse (to Eep): Hey...
Eep (to Mouse): So... um, I'm sorry I left. I, uh, I had to clear my head.
Mouse (to Eep): I understand...
Eep (to Mouse): Um. So, you wanna work with Vincent?
Mouse (to Eep): Yes, I would, but I won't do it if you're not okay with it. But, I hope you will be.
Eep (to Mouse): Well, I'm not fucking thrilled, that's for sure. But, I don't get to tell you what to do with your life. Um... Why do you wanna do this?
Mouse (to Eep): Because, for four months I lived in a cell, tortured by a mad man & I can't just go back to my normal life. I keep trying, but I feel like I'm living a lie... I mean, you're the only stable part in it. I want you to do it with us.
Eep (to Mouse): Wait... uh, you what?
Mouse (to Eep): I want you to do it with us, at least, for a little while. Vincent says it's normally boring & not nearly as dangerous as it's been recently. So, if you come with us, you'll see that it's okay & you won't worry so much. And, who knows? I may get it out of my system & be able to go back to normal.
Eep (to Mouse): Normal? Heh. I'm not sure that we were ever there to begin with.
Mouse (to Eep): Well, no. But normal for us. :-)
Eep (to Mouse): OK. If you wanna do this then OK. Still not thrilled, mind you, but, well... Like I said, I don't get to tell you what to do with your life.
Mouse (to Eep): Of course you get a say. This affects you, that's why I wanted to talk about it.
Eep (to Mouse): Well, yeah. I know that, but you wanna do this. And I dunno. I feel like it's not fair to say no cause I'm freaked about it.
Mouse (to Eep): I love you.
Eep (to Mouse): I know. I love you too. Its why I'm trying not to freak out or be a huge dickhead about this.
