Victor (to Marlena): Good morning. Do you want something to eat?
Marlena (to Victor): Yes please. I'm sorry for falling asleep so suddenly last night. I guess I was more exhausted than I thought I was.
Victor (to Marlena): Heh. So I gathered. There's tea, biscuits and bacon made. If you want, I can soft boil an egg while I'm working on the gravy. Or there's cereal with a terrifying leprechaun on the box. That's what Gabe had.
Marlena (to Victor): The real food sounds better, actually. Thanks... Where is everyone else? I didn't think I overslept by that much.
Victor (to Marlena): You didn't. It's still early. Your brother is at school, your mom ran to the store, and I think Uncle Eddie is painting.
Marlena (to Victor): Oh, good. So, besides going to Fruits by mistake, what else did you end up doing while I was gone?
Victor (to Marlena): Here you are. We saw a movie, and Yoyo played her Liszt composition for me yesterday. She's astoundingly talented. And... I may have confessed something incredibly stupid to her.
Marlena (to Victor): What kind of stupid? Like, you secretly dress like a clown or something serious that you shouldn't have told her?
Victor (to Marlena): Who on earth would secretly dress like a... That is a terrifying notion that will now live in my subconscious forever. I may have mentioned I'm a portal jumper like Mr. Rathbone, and may have implied I can do it with a passenger.
Marlena (to Victor): Oh, Victor... You know how your parents feel about you telling people about that. They're going to be so mad. I mean, IF they ever find out that you told someone that wasn't family. Which I am not going to do.
Victor (to Marlena): Thank you! They would be livid. I'm a little unnerved by the whole thing. Hence the breakfast. I don't know what I was... Actually, I DO know what I was thinking. Not that it would matter to Mom and Dad.
Marlena (to Victor): What were you thinking? I mean, I love Yoyo like a sister I never had, but I didn't even know that she was from the other side until recently & it made me realize that there's probably more I don't know about her since she was telling me a cover story. I'm not mad... Just worried. You know these are the kind of things that your parents are going to say to you & you've got to know what you're going to tell them, if they ever find out.
Victor (to Marlena): God, you sounded just like your mom with that last one... I know I need a much better explanation than the real reasons.
Marlena (to Victor): God, don't say that... I'm sorry. I'm not trying to be bossy.
Victor (to Marlena): No, you're right. I don't think "I'm sick of being a freak" and "I was trying to impress a girl" will suffice.
Marlena (to Victor): Heehee... Out of my own morbid curiosity, did it work?
Victor (to Marlena): Heh. A good-looking guy from another world with a mysterious secret he's never told anyone else? Of course it worked. If I didn't know it was true first hand, I'd suspect *myself* of making it up.
Marlena (to Victor): I mean, she already liked you before. You probably didn't need to impress her.
Victor (to Marlena): Maybe not, but it felt REALLY good to be able to tell someone that and not have them freak.
Marlena (to Victor): Heehee, you're really taken with her, aren't you? Heehee. Persephone is going to have a field day with this.
Victor (to Marlena): I am not! Oh... Oh god. Seph is totes going to have the time of her LIFE with this. I never thought I'd say this... But, thank goodness she's not here. I would never hear the end of it.
Marlena (to Victor): Don't worry, I'll try not to open my mouth.
Victor (to Marlena): Thank you. Not that it matters. It's not like I won't end up telling Seph next time I talk to her anyway. Heh. For someone who was raised in a family business of secrets, I sure seem to be terrible at keeping them...
Marlena (to Victor): Heehee. I'm sorry I shouldn't laugh.
Victor (to Marlena): Why not? It's funny. It's like it's my own sad, tiny form of rebellion.
Marlena (to Victor): Well, clearly we need to figure out how to end our present predicament so that you can see your lady love. :-P Heehee, I don't think I've ever seen you blush before.
Victor (to Marlena): I am not! Anyway, I don't know how much freedom we'll be allowed. Aunt Mouse doesn't seem real keen on keeping us locked up. But I'll bet my parents are. Especially with Hiiri running around. Anyway... Tell me about New York.
Marlena (to Victor): Oh, we went to the Museum of Modern Art and a bunch of small galleries and... well, there was a boy from one of the other classes that I ended up talking to the whole time, but it wasn't anything.
Victor (to Marlena): No? Well, that's too bad.
Marlena (to Victor): I mean, we exchanged email & phone numbers, but he hasn't gotten in touch with me, so I guess he was just being friendly. I'm not very good at this whole flirting thing, I mean not like you or Seph.
Victor (to Marlena): He might get in touch with you yet, and if he doesn't, he clearly has horrible taste and isn't worth your time. Flirting itself isn't hard. Most of it is just finding something you like about the other person and telling them so. The hard part for most people is working up the courage to do it. And don't compare yourself to me flirting wise. Do you want to know the truth? Most of the time I'm just aping my dad.
Marlena (to Victor): Heehee, that doesn't surprise me, at all. How does your mom handle him acting like that all of the time?
Victor (to Marlena): It doesn't bother her. Besides, he's not like that ALL the time. Just when he's being "The Dandy." Most of the time, he's just Dad. I think she finds the whole rogue and scoundrel routine funny.
Marlena (to Victor): Oh... It's just my mom & dad are always simply that. I don't think I've ever seen then flirt with anyone including each other. If they ever did it, it was probably when I was much younger & didn't realize it.
Victor (to Marlena): Are you serious? They flirt with each other all the time. Just because they're not over-the-top like my mom and dad.
Marlena (to Victor): They do? I must not have ever noticed. Weird.
Victor (to Marlena): Heh. Why do you think they kicked me out of the house all weekend?
Marlena (to Victor): Oooh, I just thought they needed a break from all of us... I'm an idiot.
Victor (to Marlena): No, your brain was trying to protect you from a truth too gross to contemplate. I'm a neutral party.
Marlena (to Victor): It's funny, Victor, I think this is longest time we've ever spent together. I'm really kinda glad that we got grounded or we never would have gotten the opportunity to get to know each other better. You're not at all like what I expected.
Victor (to Marlena): And I'm kind of glad we got grounded together too. To tell the truth, I thought you kind of disliked me.
Marlena (to Victor): Well if we're being honest, I kinda did. I mean, you always have such stories & well, I'm here in Boring, USA. I was jealous of the fact that you get to do all of that pirate stuff. I think my parents are terrified of the other side. I mean I don't blame them after everything that happened to them over there.
Victor (to Marlena): I can't blame them either. I liked it a lot more when you and Gabe used to visit us regularly. No. Wait. That's not right, is it? Sorry. That's... That's right. That's when Seph lived with us. Anyway... I was always envious of you and Seph too. I like the pirate stuff. I really do, but it gets kind of lonely, you know? It's always just me, Mom and Dad. I know I overcompensated more than a little when I was around you guys.
Marlena (to Victor): Well, maybe you'll find someone to share it with, like your mom & dad did. Besides, Seph would jump at the chance to crew on an airship with you. And, thank you, Victor, for showing me that you're not as big of a pompous little twit as I thought.
Victor (to Marlena): Thank you for not thinking I'm a pompous little twit. Not a huge one at any rate. :-P
Marlena (to Victor): Heh. You're welcome. I should go get ready for class. Would you like me to bring Yoyo back here after classes?
Victor (to Marlena): Yes! I mean, if it's not to much trouble, that is.
Marlena (to Victor): Heehee, I'll see what I can do... Oh, I left a pile of books & movies I thought you might like on the dining room table.
Victor (to Marlena): Thank you! I've just about exhausted my book supply.
Marlena (to Victor): Okay, I'll see you in a few hours.
A few hours later, aboard the Maltese Falcon:
Hiiri (to Vincent): Vincent? Can you hear me?
Vincent (to Hiiri): This is Captain Potter. Is that you, sister o' mine?
Hiiri (to Vincent): Actually, no... It's Hiiri. I need your help. Please? I know you have no reason to trust me, but well, I'm being held captive by CLANNG & I fear what they may do to me.
Vincent (to Hiiri): You must be desperate. You have no reason to trust me any more than CLANNG.
Hiiri (to Vincent): I know, but I don't think you'd be very happy if Carver figures out that I can cross the portals unaided like your son. I may have done terrible things, but I was programmed that way, Carver is just insane.
Vincent (to Hiiri): Do you know what ever became of your fellow clones, hun?
Hiiri (to Vincent): No... I imagine they met with an untimely end, otherwise, I wouldn't be here. I-- I was the runt of the litter so to speak.
Vincent (to Hiiri): Mmm. Indeed. They were destroyed 16 years ago, Hiiri. One self-destructed in agonizing pain, one you slaughtered, and one... And one I murdered. I'm sorry, Hiiri. I really am. Especially knowing what I know about Carver. But, you and I have done this dance before. It doesn't end well.
Hiiri (to Vincent): So, you're just going to leave me here to rot? ... I do't know why I expected better of you, but I guess a lot has changed since I've been gone. You're just going to let Carver murder me? I guess I was right & you are more like me than I thought...
Vincent (to Hiiri): Sure. Sweet little Vincent would never leave me to reap what I've sown. Surely, he'll risk his life to save me. I can't imagine whatever in the world could have happened that might have changed me.
Hiiri (to Vincent): No, I completely understand. I've done awful things... but, please for a moment imagine what Carver will do with me? He was always a bit unhinged, but now... Well, he has ambition & drive, not to mention that terrifying little moppet. Help me, lock me up, I don't care... Just please don't let him gut me. I've tasted what it means to be human & I've grown rather fond of it.
Vincent (to Hiiri): Can I reach you on this channel again?
Hiiri (to Vincent): Yes, I think so. I managed to hide a communicator in my room that I pocketed from a guard. If I don't respond, you're probably off the hook.
Vincent (to Hiiri): I'm not promising anything, mind you. Carver is no less than you deserve. I'll contact you when I can. And if the worst is to happen before then... Try not to scream. I've heard it only makes things worse.
Hiiri (to Vincent): Oh well, thank you for the advice.
A few minutes later:
Vincent (to Poppy): Do we have anything to drink in this airship, hun? Do we have LOTS of things to drink on this airship?
Poppy (to Vincent): Of course, we do, lover. What happened?
Vincent (to Poppy): You will never believe who contacted me and asked for help.
Poppy (to Vincent): Oh, was it the Empress? She's always had a bit of a soft spot for you, lover, ever since that kiss. :-P
Vincent (to Poppy): God... If only. That I could have dealt with. Show up at a party, scandalize a few old ladies ... Everyone leaves happy. It was Hiiri.
Poppy (to Vincent): Oh... Why on earth would she ask you for help?
Vincent (to Poppy): Sheer desperation, I imagine. Carver has her, and she wants help. She also made, what I can only image, is a veiled threat. She wanted to know what would happen, if Carver found out she can cross the portals. Like Victor.
Poppy (to Vincent): That's a shame, lover, it must really suck to be her, at the moment... You're actually contemplating it, aren't you? It would probably be very bad for her, if Carver finds that out... no worse than she deserves, honestly.
Vincent (to Poppy): That's more or less what told her...
Poppy (to Vincent): Well then, where's the problem, honey?
Vincent (to Poppy): Because, as you guessed, I'm contemplating it.
Poppy (to Vincent): I thought you might be... What would you like me to do, lover?
Vincent (to Poppy): I don't know. What do you think?
Poppy (to Vincent): I think you're going to do whatever you think is the right thing to do, lover... But honestly, I would prefer you stay far away from her. I'm not going to go through what we went through the last time, lover.
Vincent (to Poppy): We won't. If this were 16 years ago, I'd be leaving an anonymous message with CLANNG letting them know she had a communicator.
Poppy (to Vincent): Alright. I'll see what I can find out about where Carver might be holding her.
Vincent (to Poppy): Alright, lover. Let's see what we're up against, and then we'll decide.
Meanwhile, in West Piedmont:
Marlena (to Victor): Victor! We're home. Where are you hiding?
Victor (to Marlena): What? Oh. Hello! I'm sorry. I was wrapped up in this book you loaned me.
Marlena (to Victor): Oh well, you can continue reading if you'd like. I just thought you'd like to see Yoyo. We're going to watch a movie, feel free to join us, if you like.
Victor (to Marlena): You know I do. That's the wonderful thing about books, cousin o' mine. They wait for you.
Marlena (to Victor): Heehee, I know.
Victor (to Yukiko): Hello, again!
Yukiko (to Victor): Hi Victor! I hope you don't mind that I cam over with Mars after school.
Victor (to Yukiko): No! I mean, no. I don't mind at all.
Yukiko (to Victor): Oh good. I just figured since you can't visit me, I'd have to visit you.
Victor (to Yukiko): And I'm certainly glad I did. (to Marlena) What are we watching?
Marlena (to Victor): It's a modern retelling of Midsummer's Night Dream. Daniel told me it's very popular over the weekend. I've never seen it.
Victor (to Marlena): Daniel? Is that the gentleman at the museum with the terrible taste?
Marlena (to Victor): He didn't have terrible taste! He-- Oh, you're teasing. Yes, that was the boy I told you about.
Yukiko (to Marlena & Victor): Heehee. Mars likes a boy?!? That's amazing.
Marlena (to Yukiko): Hush you, I've liked people before. I'm not made of stone, I'm just selective.
Yukiko (to Marlena): I'm just teasing you, Mars...
Marlena (to Yukiko): I know. Just cut it out. It's a moot point, anyway. I'll probably never see him again.
Victor (to Marlena): Like I said, a beautiful, intelligent woman shows interest and he does nothing? Either he's an idiot or he has no taste. :-p
Marlena (to Victor): Heh. Thank you, Victor.
Victor (to Marlena): No need to thank me. It's true, isn't it?
Marlena (to Victor): ... I guess.
Yukiko (to Marlena): You know it's true, Mars! Anyone would be lucky to have you interested in them. You're smart, funny & very pretty.
Marlena (to Victor & Yukiko): Okay, okay. Can we just watch the movie? If you keep this up, I'm going to ask about the matching hickeys.
Yukiko (to Marlena): Oh my goodness.
Victor (to Marlena): What! What are you talking about? I haven't got... I mean, we don't have...
Marlena (to Victor): They keep peeking out from under both of your collars.
Victor (to Marlena): Oh. Um... It's, uh...
Marlena (to Victor): Heehee, it's okay. Just stop teasing me & I won't tease you.
Victor (to Marlena): I wasn't teasing! I was telling the truth. We both were. Yeesh.
Marlena (to Victor): Oh well, I'm sorry then... (to Yukiko & Victor) But, you may want to put some foundation on those things before my Mom gets home. She'll more than likely bring them up.
A couple hours later:
Yukiko (to Marlena & Victor): Thank you both for a lovely time as always. I'll see you later.
Marlena (to Yukiko): Bye Yoyo. I'll see you at class tomorrow.
Victor (to Yukiko): It was very nice to see you again too. Hopefully, I'll see you later!
Yukiko (to Victor): I'd like that. Will you walk me out to my bicycle?
Victor (to Yukiko): Yes, of course. Good night. Have a safe trip back, and, um, please feel free to come back as soon as you can...
Yukiko (to Victor): I would be here everyday, if I could get away with it.
Victor (to Yukiko): Heh. Well, I'm certainly not going to complain if you show up every day. I'm, um, I'm sorry about the hickey. I'll see you later. Until then...
Yukiko (to Victor): Heehee. I'm not upset about it. It's my first one. :-)
Victor (to Yukiko): Oh! Heh. OK, then. Good night!
Yukiko (to Victor): Goodbye, Victor.
