Vincent (to Victor): Hey, kiddo. It is. I was taking a moment to myself this morning. I stopped by to see how you were doing. Actually, I tried to see you yesterday, but your cousin said you were out walking her friend Yoyo home.
Victor (to Vincent): Oh. Um, yes. I know I'm supposed to stay in the house, but it was getting late, and I thought it wouldn't be polite to...
Vincent (to Victor): Hee hee. Calm down. I'm not angry. Is Yoyo pretty?
Victor (to Vincent): Yes. Very.
Vincent (to Victor): Well, then I CERTAINLY don't blame you. How are you, Victor? Really?
Victor (to Vincent): I'm... Honestly, it's a lot to process. I'm still not sure how I feel about it, but I'm glad you told me. I guess it doesn't really change anything, though. I mean, you're still my dad. I still love you.
Vincent (to Victor): Thank you. Ohhh... My little man, is getting so grown up. Give your old man a hug!
Victor (to Vincent): Dad. DAD! Stop! You're making it weird.
Vincent (to Victor): Of course I am. Come get some coffee with me before I go home. You can NOT get decent espresso in Britannia. Go see if your cousin wants to join us.
Victor (to Marlena): Mars? Are you awake? Do you want to go get some coffee with me and my dad?
Marlena (to Victor): Huh? Oh yeah. Sure. I'll be right out.
Victor (to Vincent): She'll be right out. Did you tell mom? About Yoyo?
Vincent (to Victor): Of course I did!
Victor (to Vincent): Of course you did.
Marlena (to Vincent): Good morning, Uncle Vincent... (to Victor & Vincent) Who made the coffee?
Vincent (to Marlena): From the looks of it, your father, which means it's not fit for human consumption. Victor and I were going to wander down to the cafe. I thought you might want to be let out on parole for a little bit.
Marlena (to Vincent): Oh geez, I don't know why he insists on making that stuff. He's going to ruin another coffeemaker. The café would be nice.
Vincent (to Marlena): Hee hee. Years of smoking have no doubt deadened his taste buds. He can no longer detect flavor like a normal human being. Which is the fate that awaits you, young missy, if you don't cut it out with the cancer sticks.
Marlena (to Vincent): Yes, yes, I know. I get plenty of speeches and pamphlets from my mother. Clearly it's going to stunt my growth.
Vincent (to Marlena): Ha ha ha! Well, somehow I doubt that. I feel like I'm on a bus walking between you two.
Marlena (to Vctor): So, I forgot to ask last night, How was your walk with Yoyo?
Vincent (to Victor & Marlena): Please do tell.
Victor (to Marlena): You're asking me that in front of my dad to embarrass me, aren't you?
Marlena (to Victor): Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't realize that there was something to embarrass you about... I thought you were just being polite.
Victor (to Vincent): Mmm. You're going to have to try harder than that to embarrass me. I live with him.
Vincent (to Victor): You cut me to the quick, child of mine! I'm not embarrassing in the slightest.
Victor (to Vincent): Dad. You flirt with everything on two legs. You winked at that guy who passed us not two seconds ago.
Marlena (to Vincent): Heehee... So Uncle, is it true that you had a romance character based after you?
Vincent (to Victor & Marlena): Good heavens! Don't tell me you read those books too! Great literature has been published and forgotten, but "Gears, Gadgets and Glory" lives on in all its lurid detail. I can't believe your mother let you read those. The lead in those isn't *really* based on me. More on rumors about me when I was a much younger and stupider pirate.
Marlena (to Vincent): Oh no, she didn't. But, Dad made a joke about it to her in front of me & I had to ask what it was. I don't want to read a sexy story about my uncle... And, I may have embarrassed Professor Rathbone with it, as a joke.
Vincent (to Marlena): Hee hee. Did you now? To be fair, Jacob didn't even know me, or who I was, when he wrote those novels. He found out later. Which, surprisingly, didn't make him feel better about it. And they're not about me. There's not a shred of truth in them.
Marlena (to Vincent): So, you never, ever, ever kissed a member of the royal family?
Vincent (to Marlena): Oh. Well, I may have kissed two members of the royal family, but that's all. Those books get far more involved than I did.
Victor (to Vincent): Oh! But Dad, what about the prequel he wrote later? You know, with the raid, and what you told me the other night is...
Vincent (to Victor): Hush you. Oh look. (to Marlena & Victor) We're at the cafe! Why don't you two stick something sticky in your gobs, eh?
Victor (to Marlena): I think this may be the first time I've ever seen my dad speechless.
Marlena (to Victor): Heeheehee. I'm now very glad my mom told me about all of that.
Victor (to Marlena): You should read some of the ISS files on him and my mom! They think *we're* bad.
Marlena (to Victor): No fair! I wish I had dirt on my parents. Maybe, they wouldn't give me such a hard time.
Victor (to Marlena): Are you kidding? If anything, I think it makes my folks MORE paranoid. They're afraid I'm going to act like they did. At 16, my dad had already run away from home and my mom was working for ISS. Besides, your dad did some stupid stuff when he was going to school didn't he?
Marlena (to Victor): That's what they keep saying, but they've never actually given me any specifics.
Victor (to Marlena): Oh. Um, if they haven't mentioned it to you, I'm not sure if I should...
Vincent (to Victor & Marlena): Alright, you co-conspirators. Are you ready to head back? Victor, here's your uber-sweet whatever this is. Here's your latte, Mars. I picked up some pastries for your mom.
Victor (to Vincent): No you didn't. The barrista GAVE you those pastries because you were being a lech at her.
Vincent (to Victor): Trust me. Your aunt won't care how I came into the possession of these pastries, as long as there's a chocolate croissant.
Marlena (to Vincent): I'm sure Mom will appreciate them either way. She'll hopefully be awake by now. She worked late, last night.
Vincent (to Marlena): Then let's not keep her waiting.
Yukiko: Grrr. Stupid Liszt & his gigantic, inhuman hands.
A short time later:
Vincent (to Victor & Marlena): Here we are, kids. I should get back to my wife. I'll see you later. (to Victor) Keep an eye on everyone for me, Little Man. I love you. Take care of yourself.
Victor (to Vincent): Yes, sir. Be careful, please!
Marlena (to Vncent): Bye, Uncle Vincent. Thank you for taking me to the café with you.
Victor (to Marlena): What? Why are you looking at me like that?
Marlena (to Victor): Sooo, are you going to tell me what happened on the walk with Yoyo?
Victor (to Marlena): I should have known. There's nothing much to tell. I walked her home, we talked, I said good night, and then I came back.
Marlena (to Victor): What? You can't blame me... I've been trapped in the house for days. I'm sorry if I have to live vicariously through you.
Victor (to Marlena): Alright. Alright. I'm sorry, it's just a bit odd. You were the one telling me not to waste my energy flirting with her.
Marlena (to Victor): Well, that's because I didn't know you guys were actually interested in each other... And, that she was from the other side. Even, if you guys end up just being friends, I think it's nice that you both have someone to talk to about being from both places. Sure, I'm a little jealous that I might have to share my friend with you, but I'll get over it.
Victor (to Marlena): Oh. Well, that's alright. Heh. I get a bit jealous when Seph gets herself some dumb lug of a gentleman caller, and she has HATED every girl I've ever spent time with so far. Mostly because I'm off "being mooney eyed" and she's left "destitute and bored" with her little brothers.
Marlena (to Victor): Well, can you do one thing for me?... Just promise me that you won't string Yoyo along, if you're just flirting with her for something to do. I don't want her to get her feelings hurt. Ok?
Victor (to Marlena): I'm not! I promise I'm not. Believe me, I wouldn't want to do anything to hurt her feelings or make things awkward for you. You can ask Seph if you don't believe me. She was having a grand time with the fact I seemed flustered by her.
Marlena (to Victor): Well, okay then... Um, I happen to know that she is going to be bored rehearsing all weekend while I'm gone on this class trip. Maybe, you can keep her company, I mean, if Mom & Dad let you off the hook.
Victor (to Marlena): Oh. Thank you. I'll see what I can do.
Marlena (to Victor): Speaking of which, I need to go pack my overnight bag & get ready to go.
Victor (to Marlena): Oh right. I'll let you get to it, then.
A couple hours later:
Yukiko: Okay, I need a break from this piano. Maybe, I should go dancing...
Mouse (to Victor): Hey Victor, what do you have planned for the evening?
Victor (to Mouse): Nothing, actually. Do you need help with anything?
Mouse (to Victor): No, I just figured since Mars has gone for the weekend, you can have a bit of a reprieve, if you'd like. I know you've had a bit of crazy time with the whole Hiiri revelation. Anyway, your uncle should be home soon & Goo is off at a friend's... So, I think we're going to have a quiet night at home.
Victor (to Mouse): Oh. OH! Um, do you want me to make myself scarce for a bit?
Mouse (to Victor): If you wouldn't mind. Eep & I haven't had any time alone for a bit.
Victor (to Mouse): No, I don't mind. I'll do some exploring. Have a good evening.
Mouse (to Victor): Thank you, Victor... And I'm sure it goes without saying but please stay out of trouble.
Victor (to Mouse): Yes, ma'am.
A short time later:
Victor: Alright, Victor. What are you going to do with yourself now?
An hour or so later:
Victor: Holy shit! People are handsy on this side. I'm, uh, I'm not sure how I feel about that. (to Yukiko) Oh good heavens! Yoyo! I am exceptionally glad to see you! I'm having a moment...
Yukiko (to Victor): Victor! What on earth are you doing here? You're the last person I expected to run into at a dance club.
Victor (to Yukiko): I was out wandering, and the door guy waved me in so I came in. Hee hee. I think I might be out my league here.
Yukiko (to Victor): Heehee, this is Fruits, um, you kinda look like the boys who work here in your suit.
Victor (to Yukiko): I had my rear smacked more times in the past 15 minutes, than I think it's been smacked...um, ever! What did I stumble in to?
Yukiko (to Victor): Well, it's the Asian pop night tonight, so the staff usually dress in that sort of thing to differentiate themselves from the patrons.
Victor (to Yukiko): Oh? Oh! So I see. Um... I've noticed one difference. My suit still has material in all the spots it's supposed to. Hee hee. Ah. That explains some things. The doorman probably thought I was a wayward server.
Yukiko (to Victor): I was hoping to dance & de-stress, but I can take you somewhere else, if you'd like.
Victor (to Yukiko): Heh. No. It's fine. We can stay. I'm just going to hide in this corner if you don't mind... Oh. Hey! Someone stuffed money in my pocket. Maybe I won't stay in this corner after all.
Yukiko (to Victor): Well, I'm going to go dance for a bit, if you don't mind. If the server comes by, can you get me a club soda with lime?
Victor (to Yukiko): Heh. Sure. I've got cash. Apparently. :-P
Yukiko (to Victor): Wonderful. Can you set my jacket in that corner? ... Thanks! Oh my god, this is one of my favorite songs. I'll be back.
Victor (to Yukiko): Hee hee. Sure.
A little while later:
Yukiko (to Victor): Woo... That felt good. Sorry for running off to the dancefloor, not that it looked like you were lonely. :-P
Victor (to Yukiko): Heh. If you want to appear interesting, let other people come to you. Although, honestly, I'm just feeling a little lost.
Yukiko (to Victor): Heehee. If you'd like to go, I think I've gotten the dancing out of my system.
Victor (to Yukiko): I don't really have any plans other than "keep out of the house for a while" so I'm at your disposal.
Yukiko (to Victor): Oh my goodness, you are quite the flirt. I'm sure we can find something that's a little more to your liking. Take my hand, I don't want to lose you in the crowd.
Victor (to Yukiko): Oh. Heh. I'm sorry. I'm afraid I am my father's son. Lead the way.
Yukiko (to Victor): Will do... How about a movie?
Victor (to Yukiko): A movie would be wonderful. Do you mind picking? Again, I fear I'm a bit out of the loop...
Yukiko (to Victor): Oh, of course... I have to admit I'm still a little new at the movie thing myself, but I'll do my best. You're cute when you're a bit flustered.
Victor (to Yukiko): ... Um, thank you. I'm not sure I agree, but, I'm not going to complain about ANY way you think I'm cute. You're--you're a good dancer, by the way.
Yukiko (to Victor): You were watching? Thank you, I was worried that I dance like a flaying idiot, but then I think that's the style here.
A short time later:
Yukiko (to Victor): I've got our tickets... Let's go in.
