Hiiri: Where on earth has my little brother gotten to? This is very upsetting.
Poppy (to Vincent): Good morning, honey. I have made an apology breakfast for you... Would you like to eat in silence or should I commence with the apologies posthaste?
Vincent (to Poppy): You wouldn't be trying to catch me first thing in the morning before I've had a chance to build up steam, now would you, hun?
Poppy (to Vincent): Oh, uh... No, that's not what's going on, at all, honey... Yes, that's totally what's going on. Is it working?
Vincent (to Poppy): Well, I'm not currently shouting, so I'd say it's working better than I'd care to admit. If the truth be known, hun, I am trying very hard not to be upset. After all, this is exactly what I was doing to my sister.
Poppy (to Vincent): Well, I was on my way to come home when CLANNG intercepted me. And, I'm sorry that I took your car, honey, without asking. You have every right to be mad at me. So, go ahead and let me have it.
Vincent (to Poppy): I'm not mad at you for taking my car, hun. ... well, OK, yes I am. But, I'm not ONLY mad at you for taking the car. If you really didn't want me coming with you, which is obvious, all you had to do was ask. I would have given you the keys.
Poppy (to Vincent): Really, honey? You've been kind of insistent about coming with me in the past… To be honest, you get kind of overly male & protective when you think I might get in trouble. It's sweet & all, but I've been doing this awhile & can take care of myself.
Vincent (to Poppy): Oh good. Good to know that you stole my car keys to teach me a lesson about gender equality. And yes, I am no doubt more overprotective than I need to be right now, but in case you didn't notice... I treat Eep, Ripper and my sister the same way. I'm still paranoid over the people I care about getting hurt. So, yes. I am SORRY for being an overprotective ass. But for the record, I wouldn't have forced my company on you.
Poppy (to Vincent): Well then, I'm sorry for assuming you were going to be difficult. I didn't want you to get hurt, either... I know Markus wouldn't hurt me intentionally, but you're a stranger & he might not feel so inclined to niceties with you. Plus, there was the other family stuff to deal with, like, seeing Bernard & Molly. I really don't have the energy to explain or argue with you, honey. I'm sorry that you're angry with me & you have every right to be. But, I thought I was doing what was best...
Vincent (to Poppy): I didn't mean to lose my temper. I don't want to argue with you either, hun. Especially not first thing in the day. And to be fair to you, part of the reason I'm so annoyed is because this is EXACTLY the same thing I did when I went to get Alistair off Hiiri's ship. No wonder my sister was so livid. It's not much fun to be smacked in the face by your own bad behavior, you know.
Poppy (to Vincent): Well on the plus side, Markus is back in Newgate, Carver has more than likely been picked up by CLANNG, I have a healthy, brand new baby niece, and not to mention, that Bernard's outlook is promising according to the doctors.
Vincent (to Poppy): That's all exceptionally good news, hun. I'm glad to hear it.
Poppy (to Vincent): I do really appreciate you coming to find me, honey...You could have left me to rot for a little while to teach me a lesson. But, you didn't, so thank you.
Vincent (to Poppy): Of course I wouldn't have done that! Honestly, the thought didn't even cross my mind. With Carver running around, I was too worried about you to be that petty. Not that I needed to worry. In the end, we were the ones who got to deal with him. God, he's a horrible little thing.
Poppy (to Vincent): You're telling me, honey... I'm trying not to think about the fact that Carver has permission to "play" with me. Or what Hiiri is going to do once she realizes he's missing... It might get ugly.
Vincent (to Poppy): I hate to say it, but I think Hiiri sent him after you to find out why you're not an automaton, hun. He seemed very keen on Percy when they met. So much so, that I was able to get behind him without his notice.
Poppy (to Vincent): Oh well, that's a bit unsettling.
Vincent (to Poppy): Mmm. More than a little bit. Let's hope she doesn't get that portal opening device operating any time soon.
Poppy (to Vincent): Well, I know that Emmett & the wizard have a plan for dealing with Hiiri, but it's pretty ruthless. I think they're hoping to come up with something else before they use it. But, things are lining up to make it seem like it might be the best solution... possibly, a final solution.
Vincent (to Poppy): Wow. I... Really? I don't suppose I should be surprised. She's too bloody dangerous to let run around... I know it's ridiculous, but I have a hard time contemplating killing someone with my sister's face. Even if she would be likely to skin me alive given the chance.
Poppy (to Vincent): Well, no one expects you to do it, honey, just leave it to Emmett & the wizard to deal with it...
Vincent (to Poppy): Hee hee. Well, it's a good thing. I'd be *terrible* at it. Speaking of my sister, I check in with her. (to Mouse) How's my favorite sister today?
Mouse (to Vincent): Awww, that's sweet... I'd say I'm your only sister, but I know that's not true. :-P So, everything went okay on the other side?
Vincent (to Mouse): I said you were my FAVORITE sister, and that is the truth. The trip went well enough, I suppose. We ran into Carver.
Mouse (to Vincent): Is everyone okay? Were you able to find Poppy?
Vincent (to Mouse): Thankfully, we're all fine! We were able to subdue him, and managed to bring Poppy home safe and sound. One of her brothers didn't want to let her leave. He had heard rumors that Hiiri had given Carver permission to "play" with her.
Mouse (to Vincent): Oh god, that sounds a bit terrifying, but I'm glad you found her. And, that you all got home safe & sound... I hope you weren't too hard on her. I know what it's like to be worried about your family.
Vincent (to Mouse): I tried not to be. Which brings me nicely to point number 2, actually. I'm so sorry for being such a headstrong little twat.
Mouse (to Vincent): Oh, wow, I'm speechless...
Vincent (to Mouse): Hardy har har. I AM capable of admitting I made a mistake and apologizing, you know. :-P
Several hours later:
Ripper (to Vincent): I seem to have a rodent infestation in the booth...
Vincent (to Ripper): Hee hee. So you do. I was wondering why you were playing some of these mash-ups, Professor. (to Mouse) Is that a little Mouse I spy? In the mood to spin, I see. :-P
Ripper (to Vincent): I can't complain too much, the dancefloor is packed.
Mouse (to Vincent): Um, maybe...
Vincent (to Mouse): Hee hee. Well, it doesn't look like you're getting any complaints.
Mouse (to Vincent): Heehee, I was worried that Ripper was going to kick me out of the booth.
Vincent (to Ripper): Well, since you're not doing anything productive, do you want a drink? :-P (to Mouse) No worries. I'm plying him with alcohol. Keep spinning.
Mouse (to Vincent): Will do!
Ripper (to Vincent): Yeah, my usual... And, could you put the blonde guys on my tab?
Vincent (to Ripper): Can do. Shall I send him your way?
Ripper (to Vincent): I actually know him, but you can send him this way, if you'd like.
Vincent (to Ripper): Will do! Would you like me to send any other cute wayward souls I find wandering about to you as well? :-P
Ripper (to Vincent): Sure, since I seem to be redundant this evening. :-)
Vincent (to Ripper): Ha ha ha! I'm sure you're not redundant, Professor. Enjoy the time off! Though, if you really want to take over the decks, let me know, and we'll see if we can get Eep to Mouse wrangle for you.
Poppy (to Vincent): Honey, the whole club is coming your way... We got shut down for the night...
Vincent (to Poppy): Well, I won't complain about getting an influx of burlesque dancers. What happened, hun? Is everything OK?
Poppy (to Vincent): Oh honey, there was a very obvious costume malfunction during a performance & someone ratted us out to the fuzz.
Vincent (to Poppy): For heavens sake! I'd be sending praises to God for a wardrobe malfunction at a burlesque performance not calling the fuzz. Ooo. That's maybe something I shouldn't admit out loud.
Poppy (to Vincent): Heehee, you're such a boy sometimes.
Vincent (to Poppy): Hee hee. Guilty as charged. What do you want, hun?
Poppy (to Vincent): Well, honey, what I want isn't on the menu... So, I guess a dirty martini will have to suffice. ;-)
Vincent (to Poppy): Heh. Well, ma'am. Legally, I'm not sure I can offer you anything that's not on the menu. Here's your martini.
Poppy (to Vincent): Thank you, honey... Are you giving me the cold shoulder? Because, if you are, it's kind of a turn on.
Vincent (to Poppy): Hee hee. I wasn't trying to give you the cold shoulder, hun. But, I'll keep that in mind for the future, hun.
Poppy (to Vincent): Oh. I wasn't sure if this was part of the punishment...
Vincent (to Poppy): Heh. Just working tonight. Though, if you're insistent on being punished, I'm sure we can work something out.
Poppy (to Vincent): Well, honey, I'm definitely game if it means you stop staring at my co-workers. :-P
Vincent (to Poppy): They wore their work uniforms! It's hardly fair. Besides, it isn't as though they're the only ones getting looks, hun. If I'm not mistaken, that gentleman drooling over you to your left would love to buy you a drink.
Poppy (to Vincent): HAHA, Not really my type, honey, but thank you for the ego boost.
Vincent (to Poppy): Heh. You can hardly fault him for his taste. If I buy you a drink, will you forgive me my wandering eyes?
Poppy (to Vincent): Hmmm, I don't know, honey... Desdemona now seems overly taken with you & I'm not sure I want to interfere. :-)
Vincent (to Poppy): Desdemona? Which one of the tittering trio is she?
Poppy (to Vincent): She's the blonde that keeps flirting with you, honey.
Vincent (to Poppy): Ah! The one with the, er, décolletage. Wait. Don't they all think I'm dating you at the mo?
Poppy (to Vincent): Desdemona doesn't usually like boys, so I didn't think it mattered much, honey.
Vincent (to Poppy): Heh, I hate to break her heart, but I think I've got more than enough sexuality and gender issues for one relationship. :-P
Poppy (to Vincent): Your loss, honey. I hear tell that Desdemona does Yoga and some sort of tantric nonsense. ;-)
Ripper (to Vincent): Hey Captain, I wouldn't mind, you know, getting back to doing my job...
Vincent (to Ripper): Alright. Alright. Don't get your knickers in a knot. Let's see what we can do. (to Eep) Hey, Slim. Can you do me a HUGE favor?
Eep (to Vincent): Uh... that depends on what it is.
Vincent (to Eep): Ask my sister to let Ripper have the decks back for me. I think he'd like to finish off the night.
Eep (to Vincent): Uhhh... I'll mention it to her, but after everything I'm not all that inclined to ask her to stop if she wants to DJ. (to Mouse) Hey pretty lady. Having fun?
Mouse (to Eep): Hi sexy man... just a bit. Ripper wants the decks back, huh? (to Ripper) You can come takeover, Professor. I'm done cramping your style. :-)
Eep (to Mouse): Heh. Uh, yeah. Sorry. They kinda decided to sick me on you. I think they might be afraid of upsetting you. :p
Ripper (to Mouse): Thank you... You are always welcome to come back to work, you know?
Mouse (to Eep): Yeah, yeah... I already told Ripper he could come back. (to Ripper) I know.
Eep (to Mouse): Well, you could come over here and hang out with me, if you're up to it.
Mouse (to Eep): I'm always up to that. You just happen to be one of my favorite people to hang out with. :-)
Poppy (to Vincent): Good morning, honey. I have made an apology breakfast for you... Would you like to eat in silence or should I commence with the apologies posthaste?
Vincent (to Poppy): You wouldn't be trying to catch me first thing in the morning before I've had a chance to build up steam, now would you, hun?
Poppy (to Vincent): Oh, uh... No, that's not what's going on, at all, honey... Yes, that's totally what's going on. Is it working?
Vincent (to Poppy): Well, I'm not currently shouting, so I'd say it's working better than I'd care to admit. If the truth be known, hun, I am trying very hard not to be upset. After all, this is exactly what I was doing to my sister.
Poppy (to Vincent): Well, I was on my way to come home when CLANNG intercepted me. And, I'm sorry that I took your car, honey, without asking. You have every right to be mad at me. So, go ahead and let me have it.
Vincent (to Poppy): I'm not mad at you for taking my car, hun. ... well, OK, yes I am. But, I'm not ONLY mad at you for taking the car. If you really didn't want me coming with you, which is obvious, all you had to do was ask. I would have given you the keys.
Poppy (to Vincent): Really, honey? You've been kind of insistent about coming with me in the past… To be honest, you get kind of overly male & protective when you think I might get in trouble. It's sweet & all, but I've been doing this awhile & can take care of myself.
Vincent (to Poppy): Oh good. Good to know that you stole my car keys to teach me a lesson about gender equality. And yes, I am no doubt more overprotective than I need to be right now, but in case you didn't notice... I treat Eep, Ripper and my sister the same way. I'm still paranoid over the people I care about getting hurt. So, yes. I am SORRY for being an overprotective ass. But for the record, I wouldn't have forced my company on you.
Poppy (to Vincent): Well then, I'm sorry for assuming you were going to be difficult. I didn't want you to get hurt, either... I know Markus wouldn't hurt me intentionally, but you're a stranger & he might not feel so inclined to niceties with you. Plus, there was the other family stuff to deal with, like, seeing Bernard & Molly. I really don't have the energy to explain or argue with you, honey. I'm sorry that you're angry with me & you have every right to be. But, I thought I was doing what was best...
Vincent (to Poppy): I didn't mean to lose my temper. I don't want to argue with you either, hun. Especially not first thing in the day. And to be fair to you, part of the reason I'm so annoyed is because this is EXACTLY the same thing I did when I went to get Alistair off Hiiri's ship. No wonder my sister was so livid. It's not much fun to be smacked in the face by your own bad behavior, you know.
Poppy (to Vincent): Well on the plus side, Markus is back in Newgate, Carver has more than likely been picked up by CLANNG, I have a healthy, brand new baby niece, and not to mention, that Bernard's outlook is promising according to the doctors.
Vincent (to Poppy): That's all exceptionally good news, hun. I'm glad to hear it.
Poppy (to Vincent): I do really appreciate you coming to find me, honey...You could have left me to rot for a little while to teach me a lesson. But, you didn't, so thank you.
Vincent (to Poppy): Of course I wouldn't have done that! Honestly, the thought didn't even cross my mind. With Carver running around, I was too worried about you to be that petty. Not that I needed to worry. In the end, we were the ones who got to deal with him. God, he's a horrible little thing.
Poppy (to Vincent): You're telling me, honey... I'm trying not to think about the fact that Carver has permission to "play" with me. Or what Hiiri is going to do once she realizes he's missing... It might get ugly.
Vincent (to Poppy): I hate to say it, but I think Hiiri sent him after you to find out why you're not an automaton, hun. He seemed very keen on Percy when they met. So much so, that I was able to get behind him without his notice.
Poppy (to Vincent): Oh well, that's a bit unsettling.
Vincent (to Poppy): Mmm. More than a little bit. Let's hope she doesn't get that portal opening device operating any time soon.
Poppy (to Vincent): Well, I know that Emmett & the wizard have a plan for dealing with Hiiri, but it's pretty ruthless. I think they're hoping to come up with something else before they use it. But, things are lining up to make it seem like it might be the best solution... possibly, a final solution.
Vincent (to Poppy): Wow. I... Really? I don't suppose I should be surprised. She's too bloody dangerous to let run around... I know it's ridiculous, but I have a hard time contemplating killing someone with my sister's face. Even if she would be likely to skin me alive given the chance.
Poppy (to Vincent): Well, no one expects you to do it, honey, just leave it to Emmett & the wizard to deal with it...
Vincent (to Poppy): Hee hee. Well, it's a good thing. I'd be *terrible* at it. Speaking of my sister, I check in with her. (to Mouse) How's my favorite sister today?
Mouse (to Vincent): Awww, that's sweet... I'd say I'm your only sister, but I know that's not true. :-P So, everything went okay on the other side?
Vincent (to Mouse): I said you were my FAVORITE sister, and that is the truth. The trip went well enough, I suppose. We ran into Carver.
Mouse (to Vincent): Is everyone okay? Were you able to find Poppy?
Vincent (to Mouse): Thankfully, we're all fine! We were able to subdue him, and managed to bring Poppy home safe and sound. One of her brothers didn't want to let her leave. He had heard rumors that Hiiri had given Carver permission to "play" with her.
Mouse (to Vincent): Oh god, that sounds a bit terrifying, but I'm glad you found her. And, that you all got home safe & sound... I hope you weren't too hard on her. I know what it's like to be worried about your family.
Vincent (to Mouse): I tried not to be. Which brings me nicely to point number 2, actually. I'm so sorry for being such a headstrong little twat.
Mouse (to Vincent): Oh, wow, I'm speechless...
Vincent (to Mouse): Hardy har har. I AM capable of admitting I made a mistake and apologizing, you know. :-P
Several hours later:
Ripper (to Vincent): I seem to have a rodent infestation in the booth...
Vincent (to Ripper): Hee hee. So you do. I was wondering why you were playing some of these mash-ups, Professor. (to Mouse) Is that a little Mouse I spy? In the mood to spin, I see. :-P
Ripper (to Vincent): I can't complain too much, the dancefloor is packed.
Mouse (to Vincent): Um, maybe...
Vincent (to Mouse): Hee hee. Well, it doesn't look like you're getting any complaints.
Mouse (to Vincent): Heehee, I was worried that Ripper was going to kick me out of the booth.
Vincent (to Ripper): Well, since you're not doing anything productive, do you want a drink? :-P (to Mouse) No worries. I'm plying him with alcohol. Keep spinning.
Mouse (to Vincent): Will do!
Ripper (to Vincent): Yeah, my usual... And, could you put the blonde guys on my tab?
Vincent (to Ripper): Can do. Shall I send him your way?
Ripper (to Vincent): I actually know him, but you can send him this way, if you'd like.
Vincent (to Ripper): Will do! Would you like me to send any other cute wayward souls I find wandering about to you as well? :-P
Ripper (to Vincent): Sure, since I seem to be redundant this evening. :-)
Vincent (to Ripper): Ha ha ha! I'm sure you're not redundant, Professor. Enjoy the time off! Though, if you really want to take over the decks, let me know, and we'll see if we can get Eep to Mouse wrangle for you.
Poppy (to Vincent): Honey, the whole club is coming your way... We got shut down for the night...
Vincent (to Poppy): Well, I won't complain about getting an influx of burlesque dancers. What happened, hun? Is everything OK?
Poppy (to Vincent): Oh honey, there was a very obvious costume malfunction during a performance & someone ratted us out to the fuzz.
Vincent (to Poppy): For heavens sake! I'd be sending praises to God for a wardrobe malfunction at a burlesque performance not calling the fuzz. Ooo. That's maybe something I shouldn't admit out loud.
Poppy (to Vincent): Heehee, you're such a boy sometimes.
Vincent (to Poppy): Hee hee. Guilty as charged. What do you want, hun?
Poppy (to Vincent): Well, honey, what I want isn't on the menu... So, I guess a dirty martini will have to suffice. ;-)
Vincent (to Poppy): Heh. Well, ma'am. Legally, I'm not sure I can offer you anything that's not on the menu. Here's your martini.
Poppy (to Vincent): Thank you, honey... Are you giving me the cold shoulder? Because, if you are, it's kind of a turn on.
Vincent (to Poppy): Hee hee. I wasn't trying to give you the cold shoulder, hun. But, I'll keep that in mind for the future, hun.
Poppy (to Vincent): Oh. I wasn't sure if this was part of the punishment...
Vincent (to Poppy): Heh. Just working tonight. Though, if you're insistent on being punished, I'm sure we can work something out.
Poppy (to Vincent): Well, honey, I'm definitely game if it means you stop staring at my co-workers. :-P
Vincent (to Poppy): They wore their work uniforms! It's hardly fair. Besides, it isn't as though they're the only ones getting looks, hun. If I'm not mistaken, that gentleman drooling over you to your left would love to buy you a drink.
Poppy (to Vincent): HAHA, Not really my type, honey, but thank you for the ego boost.
Vincent (to Poppy): Heh. You can hardly fault him for his taste. If I buy you a drink, will you forgive me my wandering eyes?
Poppy (to Vincent): Hmmm, I don't know, honey... Desdemona now seems overly taken with you & I'm not sure I want to interfere. :-)
Vincent (to Poppy): Desdemona? Which one of the tittering trio is she?
Poppy (to Vincent): She's the blonde that keeps flirting with you, honey.
Vincent (to Poppy): Ah! The one with the, er, décolletage. Wait. Don't they all think I'm dating you at the mo?
Poppy (to Vincent): Desdemona doesn't usually like boys, so I didn't think it mattered much, honey.
Vincent (to Poppy): Heh, I hate to break her heart, but I think I've got more than enough sexuality and gender issues for one relationship. :-P
Poppy (to Vincent): Your loss, honey. I hear tell that Desdemona does Yoga and some sort of tantric nonsense. ;-)
Ripper (to Vincent): Hey Captain, I wouldn't mind, you know, getting back to doing my job...
Vincent (to Ripper): Alright. Alright. Don't get your knickers in a knot. Let's see what we can do. (to Eep) Hey, Slim. Can you do me a HUGE favor?
Eep (to Vincent): Uh... that depends on what it is.
Vincent (to Eep): Ask my sister to let Ripper have the decks back for me. I think he'd like to finish off the night.
Eep (to Vincent): Uhhh... I'll mention it to her, but after everything I'm not all that inclined to ask her to stop if she wants to DJ. (to Mouse) Hey pretty lady. Having fun?
Mouse (to Eep): Hi sexy man... just a bit. Ripper wants the decks back, huh? (to Ripper) You can come takeover, Professor. I'm done cramping your style. :-)
Eep (to Mouse): Heh. Uh, yeah. Sorry. They kinda decided to sick me on you. I think they might be afraid of upsetting you. :p
Ripper (to Mouse): Thank you... You are always welcome to come back to work, you know?
Mouse (to Eep): Yeah, yeah... I already told Ripper he could come back. (to Ripper) I know.
Eep (to Mouse): Well, you could come over here and hang out with me, if you're up to it.
Mouse (to Eep): I'm always up to that. You just happen to be one of my favorite people to hang out with. :-)
