Percy (to Persephone): Excuse me Miss, but I'm looking for the Potters... I was told that they're usually moored here for the summer.
Persephone (to Percy): Oh... well, hello there, handsome. You were told correctly, but they're presently out on an errand. My cousin is around here somewhere, if you'd like to talk to him. I can fetch him for you, if you like.
Percy (to Persephone): Honey, that's awfully sweet of you... but, I'm not really sure they'd like me to talk to him. But, what the hell... I haven't seen the little scamp since he was a wee thing.
Persephone (to Percy): Excellent! You just wait right here... I'll be back with Victor as quick as I can.
A few minutes later:
Persephone (to Victor): Oh my god, oh my god... There's someone in the garden asking to see your parents. I think it's an automaton but, not like any I've ever seen. He could actually pass for human, if it wasn't for the eyes. This is so exciting! You've got to go talk to him.
Victor (to Persephone): What? Seph, stop pushing me! What did you say? There's a what where?
Persephone (to Victor): There's someone asking for your parents... it's an automaton... Never seen him before... Out of breath... Just come with me.
Victor (to Persephone): Oh. Uh, OK.
Persephone (to Percy): Hello again... This is Victor and I'm so sorry I totally didn't ask your name.
Percy (to Victor): Greetings, Victor, you probably don't remember me at all, I knew you when you were just a wee one. I'm Percy. (to Persephone) Which must make you Persephone. Aren't you both just adorable...
Victor (to Percy): Oh. Oh! Right. I remember you a little bit, and I've heard my parents mention you. Uh, is there something I can do for you?
Percy (to Victor): Actually, I really need to see your parents. I have some news regarding an "old friend" & they asked me to inform them if the situation changed. So, here I am. It's really weird to be back here. I've been in the Northland for quite some time. Just typical, they send Miranda to the tropical climes & I get sent to the frozen wasteland. Humph.
Persephone (to Percy & Victor): Miranda? Tropics? Old friend? Northland? I bet you have some fantastic stories you could share, Mr. Percy.
Victor (to Percy): I don't understand ANY of what you just said.
Percy (to Victor): Oh, you don't? Oops. My mistake. I've said way too much, the little teacup poodle & the elf are going to be miffed at me. Just forget I said anything at all. When do you think your parents will be back?
Victor (to Percy & Persephone): I wonder which one is the teacup poodle.
Persephone (to Victor): Heehee...
Victor (to Percy): Wait. You said Miranda and the tropics. Do you mean Captain O'Malley in Rangoon? I read mom's file on her.
Percy (to Victor): Yes, that would be the one, honey... I really shouldn't say any more until your parents get back.
Victor (to Percy): Oh right. Spy stuff. Uh, Mom and Dad should be back soon. Do you want to wait?
Percy (to Victor): It's not actually spy stuff, per se... It's more like the past coming back to bite us in the patoot. I can wait for a bit, if that's alright with the two of you. If you have something to do, just point me at a shady spot & I'll be fine.
Victor (to Percy): Oh. Heh. Sorry. "Spy stuff" is what Dad used to tell me anytime I was asking more questions than he wanted to answer.
Persephone (to Percy): Oh no, we don't have anything to do... Would you like something to drink while you wait?
Percy (to Victor): Really? Hmmm... I shouldn't be surprised, but I am. (to Persephone) A glass of tea or lemonade would be fine, honey.
Persephone (to Percy): Of course, coming right up... (to Victor) Do you want anything, Victor?
Victor (to Persephone): No thank, you, Seph. If I want anything I can help myself. (to Percy) May I ask you an odd question, Percy?
Percy (to Victor): I live for odd questions, Victor... Ask away.
Victor (to Percy): Oh. Right. Sorry. I, uh, I understand of course if you don't know the answer, but did my mother and Persephone's father... What I mean to ask is do you know anything about my mother when she was young?
Percy (to Victor): Heehee, in a manner of speaking, I know everything about your mother quite intimately... well, up until she was 21 & then we weren't so close anymore... You could say we parted company. So, you found out some things about your parents and now you're curious, huh? You are so much like your father.
Persephone (to Percy): Here you are... (to Victor) What did I miss?
Victor (to Percy): Oh. Well, um... Yes, actually. Both Seph, uh, Persephone, and I were wondering what our parents' childhood was like? (to Persephone) Um, apparently nosiness is an inherited trait.
Persephone (to Victor): Heehee, that doesn't surprise me a bit... I'm glad I didn't miss anything too exciting.
Percy (to Victor & Persephone): Hmmm, I'm not really sure I should say anything. I mean, there's obviously a reason your parents didn't want you to know... Or it's just because they're embarrassed or ashamed or they haven't really let it go yet... Hmmm, how about this? I'll let you ask me four questions about their childhood and that's it.
Victor (to Percy): Oh, well, unless Seph has an objection, yes, I suppose so.
Persephone (to Percy): Only four questions? Is that each or all together?
Percy (to Victor & Persephone): Four questions all together. So make them count. Deal? I apologize for not being able to tell you everything, but Poppy & I have a very tenuous truce going on & I don't want to jeopardize now. I mean, it helps that I've been thousands of miles away for years. But, I'd hate for the first thing I do when I return is to upset her...
Victor (to Percy): Oh no. Of course. I understand. Four questions... Let me think about it for a minute or two.
Persephone (to Percy): Alright, sure... (to Victor) Victor, you take them all. I'm fairly certain my Da was boring.
Victor (to Persephone): Seph, are you sure you don't want to ask at least one question? I mean, you didn't know your dad was in the Royal Guard.
Persephone (to Victor): No, it's okay... I think you need to know more than I do, since Ma mentioned it, I can probably ask him about it. And, honestly, I am dying to know about your mom.
Victor (to Percy): Oh, heh. Um, How did my parents meet exactly? Or at least get together? They won't EVER tell me.
Percy (to Victor): Well, that's a little bit of convoluted story... You see, Vincent met Poppy at the club that he used to bartend at in West Piedmont... but, your Mom first met Vincent at Tesla's monastery. That was all sort of my fault. I mean, my fault for it being convoluted, not for them getting together. It's still a bit of a sticky subject & could get a few people in big trouble, if the truth got out, myself included.
Victor (to Percy): Oh. Well, that's... confusing. Though, it explains why they never give me a straight answer.
Percy (to Victor): Sorry... but I can say this, your parents fell for each other right away. It was so disgustingly cute, let me tell you.
Victor (to Percy): Oh. Yeah. I kinda saw that first hand. It was... Uh... Yeah.
Percy (to Victor): Heh... So, was that all you wanted to know?
Victor (to Percy): No, I'm just trying to figure out how to ask. I want to know about when my mom was a kid. She won't tell me anything, and whenever I ask, she makes me do extra hand-to-hand combat sessions.
Percy (to Victor): Oh well, that's because it wasn't filled with very fond memories...
Victor (to Percy): Oh. I guess I should have expected that. Did my mom and Persephone's dad grow up together? It kinda seems like they didn't.
Percy (to Victor): Yes & no. You have to understand there's a big age difference. By the time, Poppy was born her oldest brothers were being sent off to work. She grew up with her two youngest brothers more than anyone, but they left as soon as they could, as well. The house wasn't a happy one after Poppy's mom died & her dad never really recovered from it.
Victor (to Percy): Wow. Kind of like Dad. God, this is way more depressing than I expected it to be.
Percy (to Victor): I hate to break it to you, but that's probably why they didn't want you to know, honey.
Victor (to Percy): Yeah. I sorted that out for myself. Not that it matters. We would have found out somehow a some point. (to Persephone) Do you have any questions, Seph?
Persephone (to Victor): No, I think I'm good... that is all so incredibly sad. Grunt.
Victor (to Percy): Wow. You said it. And we were complaining about getting grounded.
Persephone (to Victor): I will never complain about getting grounded again... or I'll just try harder to not get caught. :-P
Percy (to Victor & Persephone): I am sorry to have spoiled your day, sweeties.
Victor (to Percy): You didn't spoil anything. Thank you for telling me, Percy. I appreciate it. (to Persephone) This is why I didn't want to go back in time and visit them. How much worse would it have been to have seen it? Poor Mom.
Percy (to Victor): No problem, honey... Is that the Falcon heading this way? If not, I'm really going to have to run.
Persephone (to Victor): No, I am so glad we didn't try that... I want to give your mom a hug, but she'd probably smack me.
Victor (to Persephone): Heh. She might, but I'm going to try it anyway. (to Percy) Oh. Yes. It is. I'll, uh, I'll let them know that you're here.
Percy (to Victor): Thank you...
Persephone (to Percy): Oh... well, hello there, handsome. You were told correctly, but they're presently out on an errand. My cousin is around here somewhere, if you'd like to talk to him. I can fetch him for you, if you like.
Percy (to Persephone): Honey, that's awfully sweet of you... but, I'm not really sure they'd like me to talk to him. But, what the hell... I haven't seen the little scamp since he was a wee thing.
Persephone (to Percy): Excellent! You just wait right here... I'll be back with Victor as quick as I can.
A few minutes later:
Persephone (to Victor): Oh my god, oh my god... There's someone in the garden asking to see your parents. I think it's an automaton but, not like any I've ever seen. He could actually pass for human, if it wasn't for the eyes. This is so exciting! You've got to go talk to him.
Victor (to Persephone): What? Seph, stop pushing me! What did you say? There's a what where?
Persephone (to Victor): There's someone asking for your parents... it's an automaton... Never seen him before... Out of breath... Just come with me.
Victor (to Persephone): Oh. Uh, OK.
Persephone (to Percy): Hello again... This is Victor and I'm so sorry I totally didn't ask your name.
Percy (to Victor): Greetings, Victor, you probably don't remember me at all, I knew you when you were just a wee one. I'm Percy. (to Persephone) Which must make you Persephone. Aren't you both just adorable...
Victor (to Percy): Oh. Oh! Right. I remember you a little bit, and I've heard my parents mention you. Uh, is there something I can do for you?
Percy (to Victor): Actually, I really need to see your parents. I have some news regarding an "old friend" & they asked me to inform them if the situation changed. So, here I am. It's really weird to be back here. I've been in the Northland for quite some time. Just typical, they send Miranda to the tropical climes & I get sent to the frozen wasteland. Humph.
Persephone (to Percy & Victor): Miranda? Tropics? Old friend? Northland? I bet you have some fantastic stories you could share, Mr. Percy.
Victor (to Percy): I don't understand ANY of what you just said.
Percy (to Victor): Oh, you don't? Oops. My mistake. I've said way too much, the little teacup poodle & the elf are going to be miffed at me. Just forget I said anything at all. When do you think your parents will be back?
Victor (to Percy & Persephone): I wonder which one is the teacup poodle.
Persephone (to Victor): Heehee...
Victor (to Percy): Wait. You said Miranda and the tropics. Do you mean Captain O'Malley in Rangoon? I read mom's file on her.
Percy (to Victor): Yes, that would be the one, honey... I really shouldn't say any more until your parents get back.
Victor (to Percy): Oh right. Spy stuff. Uh, Mom and Dad should be back soon. Do you want to wait?
Percy (to Victor): It's not actually spy stuff, per se... It's more like the past coming back to bite us in the patoot. I can wait for a bit, if that's alright with the two of you. If you have something to do, just point me at a shady spot & I'll be fine.
Victor (to Percy): Oh. Heh. Sorry. "Spy stuff" is what Dad used to tell me anytime I was asking more questions than he wanted to answer.
Persephone (to Percy): Oh no, we don't have anything to do... Would you like something to drink while you wait?
Percy (to Victor): Really? Hmmm... I shouldn't be surprised, but I am. (to Persephone) A glass of tea or lemonade would be fine, honey.
Persephone (to Percy): Of course, coming right up... (to Victor) Do you want anything, Victor?
Victor (to Persephone): No thank, you, Seph. If I want anything I can help myself. (to Percy) May I ask you an odd question, Percy?
Percy (to Victor): I live for odd questions, Victor... Ask away.
Victor (to Percy): Oh. Right. Sorry. I, uh, I understand of course if you don't know the answer, but did my mother and Persephone's father... What I mean to ask is do you know anything about my mother when she was young?
Percy (to Victor): Heehee, in a manner of speaking, I know everything about your mother quite intimately... well, up until she was 21 & then we weren't so close anymore... You could say we parted company. So, you found out some things about your parents and now you're curious, huh? You are so much like your father.
Persephone (to Percy): Here you are... (to Victor) What did I miss?
Victor (to Percy): Oh. Well, um... Yes, actually. Both Seph, uh, Persephone, and I were wondering what our parents' childhood was like? (to Persephone) Um, apparently nosiness is an inherited trait.
Persephone (to Victor): Heehee, that doesn't surprise me a bit... I'm glad I didn't miss anything too exciting.
Percy (to Victor & Persephone): Hmmm, I'm not really sure I should say anything. I mean, there's obviously a reason your parents didn't want you to know... Or it's just because they're embarrassed or ashamed or they haven't really let it go yet... Hmmm, how about this? I'll let you ask me four questions about their childhood and that's it.
Victor (to Percy): Oh, well, unless Seph has an objection, yes, I suppose so.
Persephone (to Percy): Only four questions? Is that each or all together?
Percy (to Victor & Persephone): Four questions all together. So make them count. Deal? I apologize for not being able to tell you everything, but Poppy & I have a very tenuous truce going on & I don't want to jeopardize now. I mean, it helps that I've been thousands of miles away for years. But, I'd hate for the first thing I do when I return is to upset her...
Victor (to Percy): Oh no. Of course. I understand. Four questions... Let me think about it for a minute or two.
Persephone (to Percy): Alright, sure... (to Victor) Victor, you take them all. I'm fairly certain my Da was boring.
Victor (to Persephone): Seph, are you sure you don't want to ask at least one question? I mean, you didn't know your dad was in the Royal Guard.
Persephone (to Victor): No, it's okay... I think you need to know more than I do, since Ma mentioned it, I can probably ask him about it. And, honestly, I am dying to know about your mom.
Victor (to Percy): Oh, heh. Um, How did my parents meet exactly? Or at least get together? They won't EVER tell me.
Percy (to Victor): Well, that's a little bit of convoluted story... You see, Vincent met Poppy at the club that he used to bartend at in West Piedmont... but, your Mom first met Vincent at Tesla's monastery. That was all sort of my fault. I mean, my fault for it being convoluted, not for them getting together. It's still a bit of a sticky subject & could get a few people in big trouble, if the truth got out, myself included.
Victor (to Percy): Oh. Well, that's... confusing. Though, it explains why they never give me a straight answer.
Percy (to Victor): Sorry... but I can say this, your parents fell for each other right away. It was so disgustingly cute, let me tell you.
Victor (to Percy): Oh. Yeah. I kinda saw that first hand. It was... Uh... Yeah.
Percy (to Victor): Heh... So, was that all you wanted to know?
Victor (to Percy): No, I'm just trying to figure out how to ask. I want to know about when my mom was a kid. She won't tell me anything, and whenever I ask, she makes me do extra hand-to-hand combat sessions.
Percy (to Victor): Oh well, that's because it wasn't filled with very fond memories...
Victor (to Percy): Oh. I guess I should have expected that. Did my mom and Persephone's dad grow up together? It kinda seems like they didn't.
Percy (to Victor): Yes & no. You have to understand there's a big age difference. By the time, Poppy was born her oldest brothers were being sent off to work. She grew up with her two youngest brothers more than anyone, but they left as soon as they could, as well. The house wasn't a happy one after Poppy's mom died & her dad never really recovered from it.
Victor (to Percy): Wow. Kind of like Dad. God, this is way more depressing than I expected it to be.
Percy (to Victor): I hate to break it to you, but that's probably why they didn't want you to know, honey.
Victor (to Percy): Yeah. I sorted that out for myself. Not that it matters. We would have found out somehow a some point. (to Persephone) Do you have any questions, Seph?
Persephone (to Victor): No, I think I'm good... that is all so incredibly sad. Grunt.
Victor (to Percy): Wow. You said it. And we were complaining about getting grounded.
Persephone (to Victor): I will never complain about getting grounded again... or I'll just try harder to not get caught. :-P
Percy (to Victor & Persephone): I am sorry to have spoiled your day, sweeties.
Victor (to Percy): You didn't spoil anything. Thank you for telling me, Percy. I appreciate it. (to Persephone) This is why I didn't want to go back in time and visit them. How much worse would it have been to have seen it? Poor Mom.
Percy (to Victor): No problem, honey... Is that the Falcon heading this way? If not, I'm really going to have to run.
Persephone (to Victor): No, I am so glad we didn't try that... I want to give your mom a hug, but she'd probably smack me.
Victor (to Persephone): Heh. She might, but I'm going to try it anyway. (to Percy) Oh. Yes. It is. I'll, uh, I'll let them know that you're here.
Percy (to Victor): Thank you...
