Mouse (to Eep): Yeah, sorry. I haven't had a decent cup in months. Mrs. Gardner couldn't make good coffee to save her life.
Eep (to Mouse): Heh. It's alright. You don't like the way I... Um, I mean, you probably wouldn't like the way I brew coffee anyway. Who's Mrs. Gardner?
Mouse (to Eep): Oh, she was the housekeeper Hiiri hired to take care of me & the house. I think she was really my guard, but it wasn't discussed. She never seemed all that intimidating or evil, but she was always with me, if Hiiri wasn't. I'm sorry, you probably don't want to hear about this stuff.
Eep (to Mouse): Yeah I do. Look, I know this is REALLY fucking weird, and you're probably used to having to keep everything all bottled up, but you can talk to me about any of this shit, OK? I'd prefer it if you did. ... I mean, if you want to, that is. I, um, I know it's been a while for you since us.
Mouse (to Eep): Wow... Thank you. I don't know what to say. God, this is just so weird. It's like coming back from the dead or something. I've been gone, but everyone has moved on, only no one knew that I wasn't here. And, you had a whole life with someone, only it was me. I just don't know if I can go through this or put you through this again.
Eep (to Mouse): You haven't put me through anything, so you can stop that line of rationalization right fucking there. What are you saying?
Mouse (to Eep): You already helped me get through this crazy stuff with Smythe & bizarro world once... even if it wasn't me. And, I know Hiiri's plan isn't complete yet, which means, this all could go pear-shaped again. I don't know... I'm just not sure I belong here, anymore. And, Hiiri hid something of mine that I need to get back. I love you, Eep. Really I do. But, do you really want to go through this again?
Eep (to Mouse): What kind of a motherfucking, stupid ass question is that?! Jesus Christ! Of course I'd fucking go through it again! I'd go through it 100 fucking times if that's what I needed to do! I married you, OK? I fucking married you. I gave you my mom's fucking ring fer Christ's sake!
Mouse (to Eep): You did?
Eep (to Mouse): Yes. It's right fucking here! If I was planning on bailing when shit got complicated and weird, I wouldn't have fucking said yes.
Mouse (to Eep): ... I'm going to fucking kill Hiiri.
Eep (to Mouse): Yeah, well, you're gonna have to fucking get in line, I think... I'm, um, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to wig out like that and start shouting.
Mouse (to Eep): Look, it's okay. Eep... I really do need to go back. If Hiiri's dead, that means I might not be able to find her. Damn it! This is just making things harder. Why couldn't you have just moved on? Oh right, because Hiiri is a calculating, evil robot who wanted to make you & Vincent suffer.
Eep (to Mouse): What are you talking about? Find who?
Mouse (to Eep): Um, Marlena... Hiiri put her in stasis & hid her somewhere to make sure I'd cooperate. She's just a little girl... If Hiiri's dead, I don't know how I'm going to find her.
Eep (to Mouse): Right. OK. Um... I really need you to answer me, so no fucking bullshitting me. OK? Who's Marlena?
Mouse (to Eep): She's my daughter. She's three years old. Hiiri put her in stasis about 2 years ago, on that side. Look, this whole cross dimensional stuff is really confusing & tricky. I've been over there a long time on my own.
Eep (to Mouse): Fat fucking Christ... It wasn't supposed to go like this! when Victor came over, this wasn't... Doesn't matter. Doesn't matter. Is she ours?
Mouse (to Eep): No, she's mine...
Eep (to Mouse): Oh. Come on. We're going to your brother's place. He's a fucking pirate and he's married to a fucking spy. If anyone can help us find your daughter it's them.
Mouse (to Eep): Okay. Thank you... I'm sorry. This was not how I wanted to tell you.
Eep (to Mouse): … It's fine. Story of my life so far.
A short time later:
Mouse (to Eep): Look, I-- Oh, nevermind. It's probably better this way.
Eep (to Mouse): Yeah. I sure feel a million fucking times better. How about you? Look, you don't want me in your life anymore, fine. I get it. It's been a long fucking time for you. But, I'm mad fucking in love with you, so don't expect me to behave like... I don't fucking know. I know it's been hard as fuck for you, but I just lost my wife, and... Jesus! Gimme... Fuck! Gimme a sec. I don't care what the fuck is going on, I am not fucking going up to your goddamn brother's door in tears! Gimme a second.
Mouse (to Eep): Oh, Felix... I'm sorry. I'm a fucking asshole and you're a fucking idiot... C'mere. She's your daughter, you dimwit... Why the hell would I name her after your mother? You're the only man I've ever loved.
Eep (to Mouse): I knew that! I knew that the second you said her name. Give me some goddamn credit for having a brain. I just... When you said she was yours, as in not mine, I just thought...
Mouse (to Eep): I'm sorry. I was angry at you, at this whole fucking mess. I should have just told you, but I didn't want you to feel obligated. I mean, you had a life & it wasn't with me.
Eep (to Mouse): I know this is... this is SO fucked up. I can't even begin to fathom how fucked up this all is. But the only person I wanna be with is you. I feel like shit you've been on your own so long, and I've been here having this normal fucking life. But I don't want a normal fucking life that doesn't include you, OK? I mean, Jesus! Why else would Hiiri use a doppel-whatsit so fucking you, not even fucking OTTO knew the difference?
Mouse (to Eep): She probably knew you wouldn't look for me, if you didn't know I was missing.
Eep (to Mouse): If I had known, please fucking God understand that if I had known... I would have been tearing down New London with my fucking teeth until I goddamn found you.
Mouse (to Eep): I love you, Felix. I promise no more secrets.
Eep (to Mouse): I love you too. Christ...
Poppy (to Mouse & Eep): Hi there, sweeties. Any particular reason you're standing outside our door hugging & crying? Would you like to come in? I just picked up breakfast stuff.
Eep (to Poppy): Poppy! We need.... Hiiri! She has Marlena in stasis! It's been three fucking years! THREE YEARS! We need to go! To...
Poppy (to Eep): Honey, you're babbling... (to Mouse) What is he talking about?
Vincent (to Eep): Woah. Woah. Woah. Easy, Slim. You're not making a lick of sense. What are you talking about?
Mouse (to Poppy & Vincent): In order to make me cooperate, Hiiri put my three year old daughter, Marlena, into stasis two years ago. I mean, our daughter. Hiiri was the only one that knew where she was, at least, I think.
Vincent (to Mouse): What? Wait... WHAT? So that time you thought you were... You really WERE! Fat Christ...
Poppy (to Mouse): Whoa, there a minute, honey... You've been on the other side for five years? But, that's impossible... unless. Oh, she's sneaky. Damn sneaky.
Vincent (to Poppy): Explain it to the plebeians, lover. What did she do?
Poppy (to Mouse, Vincent & Eep): I think Hiiri somehow figured out how to use the portals for time travel & put Mouse back five years in Brittania. Even if we knew she was missing, we would have been looking for her in the wrong time, right place. So, basically it was already in place when we first met Hiiri. Only that Hiiri we first met didn't know what she had planned... It's quite ingenious if you think about it. Evil, but genius.
Vincent (to Poppy, Mouse & Eep): That evil, conniving, tin-plated... I hope she DOES still exist, just so I can hit her! Repeatedly! And if by some measure of divine justice, she has truly been destroyed... then I'll just have to satisfy myself with spitting on her crushed and mangled body. I'll get dressed.
Mouse (to Poppy): But, what does that all mean? How do you know that's what she did?
Poppy (to Mouse): When Percy & I were running tests on you, we both noticed that the amount of "time particles" that were on you didn't match up to the point in time of when you went missing. We thought you had only been missing for a year or so when you were nabbed by Hiiri, but if you've been here for five years that would make sense in the loosest sense of the word… (to Eep) Oh, and I guess congratulations are in order... and, I'm going to go get the little man before he bursts a lung. He probably needs to be fed.
Vincent (to Mouse & Eep): We can all have Lulu give us a science lesson when we get back. Right now, we've got more pressing matters. (to Mouse) Can you tell us anything that might give us a starting point, sweetie? Anything you overheard?
Mouse (to Vincent): We need to find Maladori, little brother. She was always pretty keen to get involved with Hiiri's plans. If anyone knows anything about what's going on, she would.
Vincent (to Mouse): Of course Maladori was involved. I swear... Well, I've got a good idea where we can get a bead on her.
Poppy (to Mouse): Here you go, Auntie Em, meet your nephew, Victor.
Mouse (to Poppy): Oh... I am too enamored to be mad at you for that comment. (to Victor) Hello there, little man.
Vincent (to Mouse): Hee hee. You don't know this yet, but Mr. Gloomy over there is quite adept at handling babies.
Mouse (to Vincent): Oh? That surprises me a bit. (to Poppy) Is he starting to teethe, yet?
Poppy (to Mouse): I think he's about to start any day, now... He seems to be drooling constantly. (to Eep) Honey, are you okay? You haven't said much since you burst into the apartment.
Mouse (to Poppy): I used to stick a spoon in the icebox for Marlena. That seemed to help, plus she liked hitting things with it.
Eep (to Poppy): Yeah. I will be.
Poppy (to Mouse): Heehee, that's good to know. Thanks, honey.
Vincent (to Poppy): Speaking of our drooling little poop monster, do you think we can leave him with Molly and Bernard?
Poppy (to Vincent): More than likely. They love having him around & Persephone enjoys having a playmate… Honey, can you help me in Victor's room for a second? I need to find his favorite toy. (to Mouse & Eep) You two sit back & relax with the baby for minute.
Vincent (to Poppy): Oh, of course, lover. You know how he gets without that toy of his.
Mouse (to Poppy & Vincent): I'm sure we'll be fine. (to Eep) Won't we?
Eep (to Mouse): We're gonna be fine. We're gonna find our daughter, and it's all gonna be just... it'll work out… I wish... Jesus. I wasn't there. You guys have been on your own for years, and I wasn't... I'm a stranger to my own kid.
Mouse (to Eep): No, you're not. I told her about you. You featured heavily in the bedtime stories I would tell her. Her favorite was the one where you saved her & her mother from the evil witch that kept them locked in a tower.
Eep (to Mouse): I... Christ. I really wish I could of done that. But, I swear, I swear to fucking God, you and Marlena are SO fucking stuck with me from this point forward, and... Why did you hand me Victor?
Mouse (to Eep): Heh... I just wanted to see what you looked like with a baby. I'm glad to be stuck with you and when we find Marlena, she's going to love you.
Eep (to Mouse): Jesus. I hope so. I... Oh. Shit. I'm gonna have to learn to watch my fucking mouth, aren't I? (to Victor) Um, cover your ears, Victor.
Mouse (to Eep): Heehee, you'll be fine. Trust me, she's heard plenty.
Meanwhile:
Poppy (to Vincent): Honey, I don't like the idea of dealing with Maladori, at all. She's a bit unpredictable.
Vincent (to Poppy): I don't like it either, hun, but I'm afraid Mouse is right. If anyone has any insight to what Hiiri was doing it would be her
Poppy (to Vincent): You do realize we're going to have to take Eep & Mouse with us... Oh goodness, to think they have a little girl out there. I'm surprised Mouse is being as calm as she is, I think I'd be flipping out if it were Victor. I mean, I know Mouse is good in a fig-- Well, actually I don't. That was the double. But, Eep is a mess right now, we need to put them somewhere safe while we do some digging. Do you think they'd stay put at the Inn if we told them to?
Vincent (to Poppy): Somehow, I seriously doubt it. God, there is nothing about this situation that I like.
Poppy (to Vincent): I agree, lover. I hate to say it, but you & Eep seriously pissed off that robot whack-job. She really wanted to make you suffer. When we crossover, I'm going to get up with my contacts & see if they've heard anything about these constructs. Maybe, we can take them out before they continue on with Hiiri's plan.
Vincent (to Poppy): Believe me, lover. I am painfully aware of this fact. Do you think you could get Thaddeus to speak to Maladori for us? I wouldn't go as far as to say she's got any loyalty towards CLANNG, but he might be able to get more info from her than us.
Poppy (to Vincent): I'll certainly ask him, honey. We should probably head back out there before the Gloomies do something I'm going to regret. :-P
Vincent (to Poppy): Good heavens, I don't know that I like dealing with Thaddeus any more than Maladori. Why can't we know reputable people?
Poppy (to Vincent): I think we're both in the wrong line of work for that, lover. If you wanted to work with nice folks, you should have become a grocer. You can't be too awful when dealing with vegetables.
Vincent (to Poppy): Heh. That's what you think. I've known some pretty nasty veggie-mongers, lover. :-P
Poppy (to Vincent): Oh, well then in that case, it probably has something to do with us, honey. :-p
Vincent (to Poppy): Heh. I can't argue with that. Shall we go collect the Gloomies?
Poppy (to Vincent): Yes, we probably should. I found the elephant toy, in case they ask. Here you go, lover.
Two minutes later:
Vincent (to Mouse & Eep): Are we interrupting?
Mouse (to Vincent & Poppy): Of course not. We were just sitting here... Don't give me that look. He was holding Victor.
Vincent (to Mouse & Eep): Mmm hmm. Of course. How silly of me to assume otherwise. Well, roll 'em up, gang. We're leaving in 10.
Poppy (to Eep & Mouse): Well, allow me to take him off your hands, honey. Are you two ready to go?
Eep (to Poppy): Yeah. We're ready.
Poppy (to Mouse & Eep): Now, sweeties, I don't want you to get your hopes up, okay? We're going to try our best to find Marlena, but it may take a little while. We've got a lot of ground to cover & the people we need to talk to are not the nicest folks. So, I just need you to both be calm & rational about this absolutely ridiculously irrational situation. Can you do that for me?
Mouse (to Poppy, Eep & Vincent): Yes, yes... Can we please just go already?
Vincent (to Mouse): Calm down, sweetie. Of course, we're going.
Mouse (to Vincent & Poppy): Look, I'm sorry for being short with you. It's just that I'm worried.
Vincent (to Poppy): I fear we'll have to load up the Impala to fit all of us and the gear. Why don't you and Eep go start packing? I've got a few more weapons I want to grab. (to Mouse) Can you give me a hand, sweetie?
Poppy (to Vincent): Alright, lover. Victor's all snug & secure, so we'll head down. (to Eep) Come on, Mister Sunshine.
Mouse (to Vincent): Oh, sure.
Vincent (to Mouse): Can you handle a gun, hun? I don't know how much of a chance you got for training while living with Hiiri.
Mouse (to Vincent): Yes, little brother, Hiiri wanted me to be her best friend, she taught me how to do a lot of things... that I honestly would like to forget. But, I can handle a gun.
Vincent (to Mouse): If you want to hang back, hun, you know that everyone will understand.
Mouse (to Vincent): How can you even say that? I've trying to figure out where Hiiri put Marlena ever since she put her in stasis. She's all I have had in that crazy world to keep me sane. I'm not going to stop looking for her.
Vincent (to Mouse): Well, that answers one thing. I was wondering how on earth you were remaining calm through all this. Here. Let's get going.
Mouse (to Vincent): Thank you, little brother.
Vincent (to Mouse): Don't thank me yet. Let's find your daughter and then there can be hugs and tears and high-fives all around.
Meanwhile:
Poppy (to Eep): How are you holding up, honey?
Eep (to Poppy): I'm... I don't know. This is like... Fuck. I don't know. This is beyond too fucking weird for me. But what else am I supposed to do? It's my daughter, Poppy! I don't even...
Poppy (to Eep): I know, honey. Is this going to be too weird for you? I mean, you've been through a lot in the last few days. I wish there was something I could say, honey, to make it all better. How are you & Mouse doing? I mean, you seemed a little on edge when I stumbled on you outside.
Eep (to Poppy): Um, yeah. I'm a little high strung, I guess. I, um, I don't know how we're doing. She keeps pushing me away, but then… I don't know. But, I love her. We'll figure it out.
Poppy (to Eep): Well, honey, as weird as this is for you, it's gotta be just as weird for her. She's been living without you for five years. It's going to take some time to adjust, for you both. It'll be okay.
Eep (to Poppy): I know. Thanks, Poppy.
A couple hours later:
Poppy (to Eep, Mouse & Vincent): Well, Victor is deposited with the family. Are you sure I can't talk you two into staying here?
Mouse (to Poppy): Are you really that concerned about us going with you, Poppy?
Vincent (to Mouse): We're just worried, hun.
Poppy (to Mouse): Honey, you & Eep have been through a lot. How about you two stay here, watch Victor while Vincent & I ask some questions? As soon as we discover something, you can join us. I promise we won't do anything without you.
Mouse (to Poppy): Fine... If it'll make you two less nervous, I'll stay here, for now.
Poppy (to Mouse): You will? Is this a trick, honey?
Vincent (to Poppy): That's what I'm thinking. (to Mouse) You're totes going to run off on your own as soon as our backs are turned, aren't you?
Mouse (to Poppy & Vincent): No, I just realized that I'm still exhausted from stasis & I won't be any use to anyone. And, I've learned to be patient.
Poppy (to Mouse): Honey, can I be honest with you? I want to believe you, really I do. But, if you stay here, I need you to do something for me... You & Eep need to get sorted. He's not doing too well.
Mouse (to Poppy): What on earth do you mean?
Poppy (to Mouse): Honey, he's going to fall to pieces.
Mouse (to Poppy): Oh… I don't know what to say.
Eep (to Mouse & Poppy): I can hear you, you know. It's not like this ship is that fucking big. I'll be fine.
Poppy (to Eep): Honey, I'm just trying to help.
Eep (to Poppy): I know.
Poppy (to Mouse & Eep): Fine... You know what. You two can sort it out on your own. I'm going up to the bridge. Stay or go, it's up to you.
Mouse (to Eep): Oh... She seems a bit upset.
Eep (to Mouse): Um yeah. Just a little bit. Poppy kinda gets pissed when she's worried. She can't be too upset. She didn't pull a gun on either of us. I'm, um, I'm kidding, you know. Mostly.
Mouse (to Eep): Oh. Do you think we should stay at the inn?
Eep (to Mouse): I don't know. If they're just asking questions, I'm probably just gonna get upset and in the way. But, I don't like the idea of sitting on my ass doing nothing either. And I'm not fucking made of glass. I can keep my shit together.
Mouse (to Eep): Heh... but it such a nice ass. :-P
Eep (to Mouse): Well, I... uh, what? Oh. Heh. Right. Sorry. What do you want to do? I'm going wherever the fuck you are.
Mouse (to Eep): How about we go with them, but we stay on the ship?
Eep (to Mouse): Yeah. I can do that.
An hour or so later:
Mouse (to Eep): Felix, you look like you have something on your mind. You wanna talk about it?
Eep (to Mouse): It's just... Five years. You were stuck with Hiiri for five fucking years. How did you stand it? I'm sorry. That's a stupid fucking question. How are you supposed to answer that?
Mouse (to Eep): I just had to deal with it. And, she wasn't there all the time. I spent most of the time with just Mrs. Gardner & Marlena.
Eep (to Mouse): Um, were you allowed out at all, or were you under, like, house arrest?
Mouse (to Eep): No, we had a bit of a normal life. Just Hiiri would come by once a week for tea & to check on us. And, Mrs. Gardner accompanied us absolutely everywhere. Hiiri didn't start tormenting me until after she put Marlena in stasis. I think something happened to piss her off. Because, she started playing weird games with me; telling me that you were coming to visit, making robots that looked like you & Vincent and destroying them. She was acting completely batshit insane.
Eep (to Mouse): Wow. That's... Yeah. That's batshit fucking insane. What the fuck? I wonder if that was around the time she was planning on killing Ripper and Poppy's brother.
Mouse (to Eep): She was going to kill Ripper & Poppy's brother? Damn.
Eep (to Mouse): Yeah. Bernard and Molly, Persephone's folks, both. That's what got a safe dropped on her. Poppy has a shitton of brothers. Um, one of them is a bigwig in, uh... that terrorist group. CLONG? CLANG?
Mouse (to Eep): CLANNG? Really?
Eep (to Mouse): Yeah! That's the one. Um, yeah. Your sister-in-law's got a rough past. Course, who the fuck doesn't in this group? Christ. What the hell did we do to piss Hiiri off so bad? I mean, I know Vincent's had a couple run ins with her...
Mouse (to Eep): I think she was angry that you didn't accept her as a real person.
Eep (to Mouse): She was a crazy fucking robot! How the hell was she expecting me to react to her? I mean, she fucking kidnapped the woman I love and my fucking kid! Doesn't really ingratiate.
Mouse (to Eep): I'm not trying to defend her. But, she didn't kidnap me, per se... She did really save me from Smythe's henchmen. They were going to bring me back to him... or at least, that's what I thought. Though, I'm beginning to wonder if she planned all of it. And, she didn't know I was pregnant when she caught me. I mean, I didn't even know until later.
Eep (to Mouse): Don't be too fucking sure. When she killed the henchmen, she had already killed Smythe like two weeks earlier. And it's not like she let you come home.
Mouse (to Eep): I know. I'm sorry, I just had to go along with it for so long that it just became second nature to think she wasn't all that bad.
Eep (to Mouse): Yeah? Next time you think that, ask Vincent what kinda shape his prince friend was in when they found his body. Or when she strung up Smythe's henchmen for us to find. Or when she made us "rescue" your double. Jesus. Or just the fucking double. Everybody's worried about me freaking out. Should be fucking Vincent you're watching.
Mouse (to Eep): Oh well, I think it's covered. His little wife has been watching him like a hawk.
Eep (to Mouse): Heh. Yeah. I guess she is. She's the only one I know who can break into his thick, fucking skull. Sorry. I know I'm being... whatever. I'm just frustrated and worried and fucking annoyed. I hate this. I hate feeling so goddamn useless when this shit happens.
Mouse (to Eep): You're not useless.
Eep (to Mouse): Sure. I'm great for moral support. Look, it's fine. I know my limitations. Can I... Can I ask you something? Um, what's Marlena like?
Mouse (to Eep): Oh well, I think she's great, but I'm probably a little biased. She's always smiling and scribbling. She's a happy little girl. What else do you want to know about her?
Eep (to Mouse): I... I don't know. Anything. Everything! When was she born? What does she like? Does she, um, look like you?
Mouse (to Eep): Oh, she was born on November 1st. Her favorite color is currently purple, it had been pink but then she decided it was just humiliated red. She has a favorite toy named Barrymore, it's a polar bear & she brings it everywhere. She looks like her father, hough Mrs. Gardner says she looks like me. And, she's probably going to tower over me when she gets older-- I'm sorry, I told myself not to get emotional about this, but talking about her makes me sad. Felix, I really want to find her.
Eep (to Mouse): I know. I know. C'mere. We'll find her. It'll be OK. We'll find her.
A few minutes later:
Poppy (to Eep & Mouse): Really sweeties!?! We can't take you anywhere, can we? You are like a couple of teenagers. It's so cute.
Eep (to Poppy): Gimme a break. You're married to Vincent. He probably did worse at the altar.
Poppy (to Eep): Very funny. We didn't have an altar, honey. We got married on the bridge of this airship by a pirate captain & I was pregnant. (to Mouse & Eep) I just came back here to tell you that I spoke to my brother & he's agreed to get a hold of Maladori for us.
Eep (to Poppy): Oh. Um, thanks. That's good. Um, right?
Poppy (to Eep): We certainly hope so, honey. I'm going to fix some food while Vincent flies us to our next stop.
Eep (to Poppy): Thanks, Poppy. I'm... I'm sorry I was being a dick earlier.
Poppy (to Eep): It's alright, honey. I know that's how you cope. If my husband comes back here, would you tell him I'm in the galley? Thank you.
Eep (to Poppy): Yeah. OK. (to Mouse) Jesus. Now I REALLY feel like a dick...
Mouse (to Eep): Heh. I see you still have quite a way with people.
Eep (to Mouse): Yeah. I'm a real fucking people person. Jesus... If I'm not utterly awkward, reality has reset itself.
Mouse (to Eep): Well, I still like you. So, I guess that's something.
Eep (to Mouse): Thank God for small miracles.
Vincent (to Mouse & Eep): Whoops! You two are working out your awkwardness around each other, I see.
Mouse (to Vincent): Damn! I'm sorry... He & I have got some catching up to do. Oh, Poppy's in the galley making dinner, little brother.
Vincent (to Mouse): Well, don't let me stop you. I'll get out of your way.
Mouse (to Vincent): Wait a minute. Hold up there. What's going on, little brother? You haven't said much more than a few words to me, since you found me.
Vincent (to Mouse): Oh. I haven't? I'm sorry, sweetie. I really, really am. I'm just trying to concentrate on the issue on hand. Hun, I sat with someone I would have sworn on my life was you, and watched her die, in horrible agony, less than a week ago. I am trying very hard not to make a mess of myself all over this airship, or storm off in some rage-filled quest for revenge.
Mouse (to Vincent): Oh. I hadn't realized. I'm sorry, that was insensitive of me.
Vincent (to Mouse): Don't worry about it, sweetie. It's not as though you've had a lot on your mind or anything. :-P Give me a hug, lug head.
A short time later:
Poppy (to Eep, Mouse & Vincent): Alright sweeties, enjoy the shepherd's pie. I'll be gone for a little bit. Play nice... (to Eep & Mouse) Well, not too nice. And, yes I'm looking at you two. ;-)
Vincent (to Poppy): Hee hee. Come give me a hug and a kiss before you go, lover.
Poppy (to Vincent): Heehee. Was the dip really necessary, lover?
Vincent (to Poppy): It was absolutely necessary. Be careful, hun. I love you.
Poppy (to Vincent): I will be back before you notice I'm gone. I love you, too.
Mouse (to Vincent): Well, it's nice to see that married life hasn't taken away your love of theater. :-P
Vincent (to Mouse): Hush you.
Mouse (to Vincent): I'm sorry, little brother, it's just the last time I saw you, you didn't want to be in a relationship with Poppy & now, you're married to her & have a son. I know, it's not the same woman but it's still a bit odd to me.
Vincent (to Mouse): Honestly, sometimes I think it's a bit odd to both of us as well. We did try. Believe me, we TRIED very hard to just be friends. But then Alistair was murdered, and Hiiri sent a whole shipload of asshole pirates after us, and things got rather... ... well, I'm tempted to say sexy just to get under Eep's skin. :-p
Mouse (to Vincent): Well, I'm happy for you both, I really am... God, I'm sorry I keep trying not to be all teary-eyed & it keeps happening. I just keep getting hit with the fact that I've missed so much... and now, Eep's going to make the brooding face. I even missed that.
Eep (to Mouse): You aren't the only one.
Vincent (to Mouse & Eep): Oh God... Don't! If you two start with that, I'm going to start. Don't you DARE!
Mouse (to Vincent & Eep): I'm going to step out onto the deck for a minute to compose myself, if it's okay with you guys. I'll be right back. I promise.
Eep (to Mouse): Yeah. 'Course. See you in a bit.
Vincent (to Eep): How are you holding up, Slim?
Eep (to Vincent): Why the fuck does everyone keep asking that?
Vincent (to Eep): Well, it might be because within the past three days you've learned the woman you married and spent the past 7 months with, wasn't really Mouse, that Mouse spent 5 years living in Britannia without you, and you have a three year old daughter out there. AND you're snapping at everyone. I think a freakout or two might be a tad justified. Instead you're doing that thing you do.
Eep (to Vincent): What thing?
Vincent (to Eep): That thing you do when you shove all your emotions down into your boots and shut down.
Eep (to Vincent): That's not what I'm doing! I mean, that isn't what I'm trying to do. This is all supremely fucked up. I know. I get it. I'm just trying to cope with one thing at a time, OK? If you've got a better suggestion, please, feel free to share it.
Vincent (to Eep): Alright. Alright. I just wanted to make sure that you're OK, hun. I'm just worried. Eat something and prove I'm a worry wart.
Eep (to Vincent): I'm not hungry. I'll eat something later.
Thirty minutes later:
Poppy (to Mouse): Hey honey, fancy running into you out here. You've got quite the look on your face. What's wrong?
Mouse (to Poppy): Oh hey, Poppy, you're back awfully quick. I hope it went well... Nothing's wrong, I mean, everything's wrong but I'm dealing.
Poppy (to Mouse): I know exactly what you mean, honey. My life was quite topsy-turvy when I was woken up. It will get better. In the meantime, I may have a lead as to where Hiiri hid your daughter. But, Vincent isn't going to like it, at all.
Mouse (to Poppy): Oh? That sounds ominous... Can I ask you a weird question?
Poppy (to Mouse): I live for weird questions, honey.
Mouse (to Poppy): Was Eep & I-- I mean, the copy, were they happy? I know I shouldn't care, but I can't help myself.
Poppy (to Mouse): I'm not going to lie to you, honey. I believe they were very happy. The construct was just like you in every way. Eep had an art opening, there was a big wedding party & you were a huge part in all of that even if it wasn't you. Which you're really going to have to come to terms with if you want to move forward & be with Eep. Trust me, you shouldn't hide from it.
Mouse (to Poppy): I know. But, it's just so awkward right now.
Poppy (to Mouse): Well, man up & deal with it, honey. Or I'm going to resort to using the Percy Meriwether method of relationship therapy. Which is essentially getting locked in somewhere until the two of you work it out. It has a high success rate so far, but this is a small ship & the only room that locks is the cabin. And, I am not sleeping in the damn hammocks on the bridge. Ok?
Mouse (to Poppy): Yes ma'am... and thank you.
A couple minutes later:
Poppy (to Vincent & Eep): Hi sweeties! I seem to have found this lady up on the deck & thought I should bring her back down with me. I had a successful meeting with my contact. I'll tell you all about in the morning. But first, I need food & then a shower.
Vincent (to Poppy): Fair enough, hun. Do you need any help with your shower?
Poppy (to Vincent): I can always use your help, honey. You can get those hard to reach spots. ;-P
Vincent (to Poppy): You know me. Always helpful. (to Eep & Mouse) I trust you two can keep yourselves occupied? (to Mouse) And make your beau eat. He hasn't touched a crumb of food.
Eep (to Vincent): I'm not fucking...
Vincent (to Eep): You're not fucking hungry. I know. Eat anyway.
Mouse (to Eep): Don't worry. I'm not going to make you eat if you don't want to. But, you really should keep up your strength... You know in case you do something overly strenuous. It would be awful to collapse from exhaustion at an inopportune time.
Eep (to Mouse): Are you... Are you trying to con me into eating by implying we're going to have sex?
Mouse (to Eep): What? Oh... I wasn't thinking... I really should put a filter on my mouth. I'm sorry. Am I blushing or is it hot in this airship?
Eep (to Mouse): Heh. That wasn't a complaint. I... I just can't eat anything right now, but I will tomorrow. I promise. Heh. You're blushing. Don't worry. Skipping dinner one night will not make me collapse in the middle of anything interesting.
Mouse (to Eep): Oh my... I think I should grab a bedroll and go sleep on the deck where it's not so warm. You've clearly gotten better at perv chicken since I last saw you. Bravo.
Eep (to Mouse): But, I wasn't... I, um... Nevermind. Sorry. I didn't mean to make you blush. I'll, um, I'll go head to the bridge. There's hammocks up there. Um, good night.
Mouse (to Eep): Wait, Felix... Don't go. I know this is weird, but I was hoping you'd stay with me. I completely understand if you don't want to, but I just wanted you to know that you were welcome to.
Eep (to Mouse): I'd, um, I'd like that.
Mouse (to Eep): Oh good, I'm glad.
