Poppy (to Vincent): Honey, I'm finally back from my fact-finding mission... It doesn't look good for Hiiri. It looks like she's being held in a CLANNG facility in the Uncharted Territories. And, there's apparently talk that Carver has taken a personal interest in their guest. And, he is calling in Maladori.
Vincent (to Poppy): Oh dear... that's not good at all. Maladori hasn't improved with age. That is also far, FAR out of our league. Even if we were inclined to help her, we'd be killed. If by some miracle we succeeded, we'd still have HIIRI to deal with. It would appear Hiiri is going to meet an end exactly as vicious as the ones she's dealt to others.
Poppy (to Vincent): That's exactly what I thought... The only way, I could get the ISS involved would be if Hiiri had something of benefit to offer them. And, since she's been out of the loop for 16 years, I doubt anything she has is viable. And, I'd be no happier with them getting their hands on her & her abilities than I am with CLANNG having them.
Vincent (to Poppy): Good heavens, no. We're in agreement. There's nothing we can do. God... Why doesn't that make me feel any better, lover?
Poppy (to Vincent): Because, you're a good person, honey.
Vincent (to Poppy): Yes. Let it be known I didn't revel in the gruesome death of someone else. Do you think we ought to go underground for a while, hun? Hiiri will be desperate, and it wouldn't surprise me, if she were to mention we have a time-skipping portal hopping son. I don't want Carver taking an "interest" in Victor.
Poppy (to Vincent): Well, we could go to the apartment in West Piedmont for awhile. That should keep us off their radar. What I find odd is that she hasn't mentioned Victor to anyone before now... I wonder why that is?
Vincent (to Poppy): I don't know... Ugh. Trying to figure Hiiri out always did make me twitchy. Don't make that face. I promise I'm not getting Ahab-y about this. I had enough of that for 3 lifetimes.
Poppy (to Vincent): I am so not looking forward to staying on the other side, honey... I mean, I love the coffee but everything else is just so pedestrian. I mean, there's no glamour, no allure, no joie de vivre.
Vincent (to Poppy): Of course they'll be glamor, allure and joie de vivre. We'll be there, won't we? It won't be forever. Besides, it will be good to visit. Maybe. Probably.
Poppy (to Vincent): That is why I love you, honey. You're always so bloody optimistic. Shall I start making the arrangements?
Vincent (to Poppy): One of the multitude of reasons, I can only imagine. :-P What can I do to help?
Poppy (to Vincent): Do we have any jobs that are pressing at the moment? All I really need to do is contact ISS & let them know that I'll be out of contact for awhile. And let Bernard & Molly know.
Vincent (to Poppy): Just a few long standing ones I can put in someone else's hands for a while. We should be fine.
Poppy (to Vincent): You do realize that Persephone is going to be quite disappointed that we won't be around for her lessons?
Vincent (to Poppy): I fully expect to get the tongue lashing of my life next time we see Ms. Longfellow. Shy and retiring, that girl is not.
Poppy (to Vincent): It's clearly a family trait from her mother's side. :-P
Vincent (to Poppy): Heh. Clearly. You handle Bernard and Molly. I'll give my sister a call and let her know we'll be picking up our wayward boy.
Poppy (to Vincent): Sounds like a plan, honey.
Vincent: This is the Maltese Falcon calling Casa de Estevez. Can you read me, mi familia?
Mouse (to Vincent): Greetings wanderers! What can I do for you?
Vincent (to Mouse): Well, sweetie, I have good news, strange news and uncomfortable news. Which would you like first?
Mouse (to Vincent): Oh geez, with choices like that... I guess strange news first.
Vincent (to Mouse): Poppy and I will be staying in Piedmont for a little while, so Victor, at least, will be out of your hair.
Mouse (to Vincent): Oh well, he's been no trouble & it'll be nice to have you close by...
Vincent (to Mouse): And I have no idea how to broach the next bit of news, so it looks like it I'll just have to tell you bandaid style.
Mouse (to Vincent): Oh goodie... Why do I get the feeling I'm not going to like this at all?
Vincent (to Mouse): This is the good and uncomfortable news all wrapped in one. I think the newest incarnation of Hiiri won't be much of an issue soon. Carver has her and, so far, she can't escape.
Mouse (to Vincent): OH! Oooh... Hmmm... I'm actually surprised that I'm of two minds about this.
Vincent (to Mouse): Mmm. Join the club. According to what Poppy found out, he's taken a *personal* interest in her, and even sent for Maladori. She actually contacted me on a stolen communicator, and asked for help.
Mouse (to Vincent): And, that's why you guys are coming over this way?
Vincent (to Mouse): Actually, I'm worried that Hiiri might try to garner favor with Carver by giving him information about Victor. If he's interested in her because of her portal jumping abilities, which judging by Maladori's appearance, I'm guessing he is, then Victor would be even more fascinating, wouldn't he? So, we're going to lay low for a little bit. Just to be safe.
Mouse (to Vincent): Good idea. I know, it's not for a good reason that you guys will be over here, but I'm happy that I'll get to see you more. It's been way too long.
Vincent (to Mouse): Good heavens, it HAS hasn't it? Don't worry, sweetie. You'll be sick of us soon enough. I'll let you know when we're in the area.
Mouse (to Vincent): Okay, I'll see you soon!
A short time later, in West Piedmont:
Mouse (to Victor): Victor, I have some news for you.
Victor (to Mouse): Oh. OK. Did something happen? Everything is alright, isn't it?
Mouse (to Victor): It's nothing too terrible. It's just that your parents are on their way here. Hiiri's been captured by CLANNG & they thought it best to make themselves scarce for a bit. So, they're coming to get you sometime soon.
Victor (to Mouse): Thank goodness! I mean, thank goodness my parents are OK. That's... That's not so good for Hiiri. CLANNG is kind of terrifying.
Mouse (to Victor): Yeah... But, honestly, Hiiri's pretty terrifying. At least, she was.
Victor (to Mouse): Yeah... I can imagine. Director Carver, though... I never thought I'd feel sorry for Hiiri. I guess I should go say goodbye to Mars. Did they, um, mention where we were going this time?
Mouse (to Victor): Don't look so dejected. I think you'll like it... It's to your apartment here in town.
Victor (to Mouse): Oh! We're staying HERE? Wow... Mom can't be happy about that. How come they want to stay on this side?
Mouse (to Victor): Well, honestly, they're worried that Hiiri may spill the beans about you & your little trick to Carver.
Victor (to Mouse): About me? How does she even know about me? This is just... Great. I'm going to be locked up the rest of my natural born life. I'm sorry. I know they're right to be concerned, and I appreciate you telling me the truth. I'll go get my things together.
Mouse (to Victor): You're not going to be locked up, Victor... I'll make sure of it.
Victor (to Mouse): Thank you, Aunt Mouse.
A few minutes later:
Marlena (to Victor): Why are you stomping around in here, Victor? What's wrong?
Victor (to Marlena): Sorry. I'm annoyed. My mom and dad are going to be picking me up shortly, so I'm packing. We're going to be staying on this side for a while. Hiiri got herself picked up by CLANNG.
Marlena (to Victor): Oh... I would think you'd be happy that they were coming to get you, at least. I mean, you've been all sorts of mopey since you've gotten here. Or are you upset because you're not going back?
Victor (to Marlena): Usually I would be, but they're scared she's going to tell Director Carver about me, so we'll be "laying low."
Marlena (to Victor): Because of the whole super power thing? I'm sorry.
Victor (to Marlena): Super power? Yeah right. It's just... they get SO paranoid about this stuff and last time this happened... Well, since, I'm already in trouble, I doubt I'll see sunshine again for months.
Marlena (to Victor): Ummm, I probably shouldn't be saying this, but don't you have the ability to be anywhere you want? ... Couldn't you just go somewhere & then be back before they knew you were gone? I'm not saying go anywhere dangerous, but like to the movies or across town for coffee... I bet I could rig that harness thing of yours to act like a tether, so you'd always come back to the right moment.
Victor (to Marlena): REALLY? Wow. That would be... That would be incredibility useful, actually. I don't always get the time right. It's like... Like trying to navigate someplace by memory and feel rather than using a map. It's not very precise. Sometimes, it's damn imprecise. Heh. One time Seph and I were coming to visit you, but I was tired, and I completely got it wrong, and ended up on your parents' porch before you were born... Oh. No, we didn't do tha
Marlena (to Victor): Oh, is that another one of those weird memories you have from a different timeline?
Victor (to Marlena): Yeah. Sorry... Heh. This is why everyone always thinks I'm nuts. Normally, they fade after a while, but some of them... Anyway, even with an anchor point, I probably shouldn't screw around with the time jumping too much. It can go way wrong in really horrible ways. It's part of what makes my mom and dad so bloody uptight about it.
Marlena (to Victor): Oh well, okay then... You're probably right. I mean, I already messed with the harness, but it hasn't been tested. So, I'll just give it back to you & we can pretend that we never had this conversation. It would be way too risky.
Victor (to Marlena): No, Mars. Wait. Thank you, this is--incredible, actually. I just... I think I already screwed up your time line once, and..
Marlena (to Victor): Victor... How on earth did you screw it up? I only have this one memory & I'm fine. So what if you have memory of me being younger than you. This is the only life that I've known. And, if you screwed up the timeline who's to say you didn't make it better. You helped keep Seph's parents from being killed, I think my age is a small price to pay for that.
Victor (to Marlena): It's not just that, it's something you said the other day about your parents being afraid of traveling to Britannia... Something about that is connected, but I can't quite remember how. If my head would just stop throbbing for a second...
Marlena (to Victor): Well, it happened when you were a baby... Did anyone ever tell you about where I was born?
Victor (to Marlena): Yeah. My dad told me about it when he told me... Um, about Hiiri. That's... That's what I changed, isn't it?
Marlena (to Victor): After everything you & Seph have told me, I think so.
Victor (to Marlena): Shit.
Marlena (to Victor): It's okay, Victor. Honest & for true.
Victor (to Marlena): I'm really, really sorry, Mars.
Marlena (to Victor): C'mere, you little dope. I'm not mad at you.
Victor (to Marlena): Thank you. Wow. You, uh, you might want to change that shirt. You smell like a thousand cigarettes. Your mom won't be happy.
Marlena (to Victor): Yeah, yeah... She'll get over it.
Several hours later:
Marlena (to Victor): Psst, hey Victor.
Victor (to Marlena): Oh. Hey. What's up?
Marlena (to Victor): I just got off the phone with Yoyo. Her presentation was tonight & she thinks it went well. I think she kinda wanted to talk to you but she didn't want to be rude. So, you can either call her back... Or maybe, you should go see her.
Victor (to Marlena): Oh. Yeah. I mean, I probably should before I'm locked away forever. Um, do you think she would mind?
Marlena (to Victor): Heh. I doubt it.
Victor (to Marlena): Thanks, Mars. (to Yukiko) Yoyo? Um, hello. This is Victor.
Yukiko (to Victor): Oh hi, Victor! I didn't expect to hear from you. You have good timing. I was about to turn off my phone & take a bath.
Victor (to Yukiko): Oh! I didn't mean to disturb you. I was just... Mars mentioned your recital went well, and might want to talk about it.
Yukiko (to Victor): You're not disturbing me, I can take a bath, anytime. It's sweet of you to call & check up on me.
Victor (to Yukiko): My parents are coming into town tomorrow. We'll be here a while, but I don't think they'll give me as much leeway as my aunt.
Yukiko (to Victor): Oh... So, you don't think we'll get to see each other anymore?
Victor (to Yukiko): I was hoping that maybe we could see one another before then? If it's too late, I understand.
Yukiko (to Victor): I'd love to see you, right now... But, how? Or where?
Victor (to Yukiko): Oh! You would? Excellent. I'll, uh, have to excuse myself from the house, but after that, I can handle the how. Where do you want to go?
Yukiko (to Victor): Ummm, can you just come to my dorm room? I don't have a roommate & I can sneak you in. The other girls do it all the time with their boyfriends. Not that, you're my boyfriend or anything. But you know... I'm going to shut up now.
Victor (to Yukiko): Oh. Heh. Yeah. I'm at the end of the block now. Can you meet me outside your dormitory? I can be there in about 5 seconds.
Yukiko (to Victor): Yes! I'll be there as quick as I can.
A few moments later:
Victor (to Yukiko): Hey! You weren't kidding when you said you would be here quickly.
Yukiko (to Victor): Heehee, neither did you! I ran down the stairs... I'm so happy to see you.
Victor (to Yukiko): Ha ha! Wow. So I see. Not that I'm complaining, mind you. Do you still want to go back to your room?
Yukiko (to Victor): Yeah, come on up these stairs. It's the easiest way to get up to my room without anyone seeing us.
Victor (to Yukiko): Wait... Um, can get us up there easier. Well, maybe not easier, but in a way that no one will see us. Definitely. Take my hands, and think on your dorm room. Really, REALLY concentrate on it. Can you see it clearly in your head?
Yukiko (to Victor): Yes, I've got it.
Victor (to Yukiko): Deep breath, one... two... OK. That got it! This, uh, this IS your room, right?
Yukiko (to Victor): Oh my god! That was brilliant. You are absolutely amazing! ... Are you okay? You look a little flushed. Water? Soda?
Victor (to Yukiko): Oh. No. I'm fine. I'm just--blushing. Probably. A little bit.
Yukiko (to Victor): Oh, don't be embarrassed. Wow. If I could do something like that, you probably couldn't get me to stay still. You are so lucky. I'd see everywhere if I could.
Victor (to Yukiko): Oh! Heh. I think I was half expecting that to kind of scare you, I suppose? It's a little odd... It can be--complicated--to do, and I've always been heavily discouraged from doing it too much, so I guess I don't... … Wow. That was nice.
Yukiko (to Victor): Please, believe it when I say that I think you're amazing... Ability or not. I liked you well enough before I knew & knowing doesn't change anything. Honest & for true.
Victor (to Yukiko): Thank you. I know, I'm being ridiculous. It hasn't been the best day. How about we forget about me and my ridiculousness and concentrate on celebrating your good news?
Yukiko (to Victor): Oh, right! It almost slipped my mind after that little trip... Do you like sake? I have a bottle from home. My oldest brother, Akira, gave it to me when I left for school. It was for a special occasion... and well, I can't think of a better one.
Victor (to Yukiko): I honestly don't know. Most of my experience drinking comes from Seph sneaking her dad's home brewed gut rot. I'm willing to find out. I knew you would be brilliant during your presentation.
Yukiko (to Victor): Thank you, that really is sweet of you to say. Here you are... We should totally have a toast. Will you do the honor?
Victor (to Yukiko): Oh. Sure. Here's to a brilliant, beautiful lady being recognized as such. May our talents bring us fame, good fortune, and continue to grant us the pleasure of such pleasant company. Um, cheers!
Yukiko (to Victor): Kanpai! ... So, what do you think of saké?
Victor (to Yukiko): It's--it's STRONG. Heh. It's good though. It's not what I was expecting at all. Thank you for sharing it with me.
Yukiko (to Victor): Heehee, you're very welcome... Can I ask you a personal question, Victor?
Victor (to Yukiko): Of course. What do you want to know?
Yukiko (to Victor): I got the impression from Mars that you were a bit of a rogue when it comes to the ladies... So do you actually like me or are you just carrying on about with me because you've been in exile? I won't be mad if it's the latter. I just don't want to get attached if that's the case.
Victor (to Yukiko): That's a fair question, and I fully admit I'm a terrible flirt. But it isn't the exile. It hasn't been the exile at all. I, uh, I really do like you quite a lot. I really like talking to you, and spending time with you. Uh, historically speaking, the young ladies I've spent time with haven't been much interested in conversation. But, I understand if you just want to be friends. My family wanders around constantly, & your parents would HATE me...
Yukiko (to Victor): I am sorry to say that you are not going to get off the hook that easily. I'll worry about my parents, just promise me that you'll visit me often & then I really think you should kiss me.
Victor (to Yukiko): Oh! Well, *I'm* not sorry you said that. Believe me, I will be more than happy to visit as often as I'm able. And I'm even more happy to kiss you.
