Marlena: Grrrr... How am I supposed to paint a friggin' nature scene when I live in an urban area & it's raining? I'm going to fail this project.
A couple hours later:
Mouse (to Marlena): Sweet child of mine, why are you sitting on our kitchen stoop glaring at the backyard with a sketchpad?
Marlena (to Mouse): I have an assignment due. I needed nature & it's raining, so I thought I should sit here and wait for inspiration to hit.
Mouse (to Marlena): Ooh, silly me... Is it working?
Marlena (to Mouse): Not in the slightest. :-/
Mouse (to Marlena): Well, come inside, I'm fixing lunch for your brother. Maybe, a cup of hot cocoa will jumpstart inspiration for you.
Marlena (to Mouse): Mom, I'm not a baby, hot cocoa isn't going to fix anything.
Mouse (to Marlena): I know that... And, I'll leave out the marshmallows, if you're so grown-up.
Marlena (to Mouse): Whoa there, Tex. Let's not be too hasty... I'm not that grown-up.
Mouse (to Marlena): Heh.
An hour or so later:
Eep (to Mouse): Hey. Why is Mars glaring into the backyard?
Mouse (to Eep): She's apparently got an assignment due. She's waiting for inspiration and for it to stop raining. I was wondering if it was for your class & that's why she's back over here sulking & glaring... Is it?
Eep (to Mouse): Heh. Don't look at me. I know better than to let Mars in my class. It's for Joanne's class.
Mouse (to Eep): Joanne? Is she the one that looks like a swedish supermodel? Or is it the one that I liked? ... I mean, I liked both of them, but well, you know what I mean.
Eep (to Mouse): Swedish supermodel? Which one is that?
Mouse (to Eep): The really tall, pretty blonde woman you introduced me to at the faculty dinner. I could have sworn you said her name was Joanne. You're just giving me a hard time, aren't you?
Eep (to Mouse): Heh. Maybe a little.
Mouse (to Eep): You can hardly blame me. She is gorgeous.
Eep (to Mouse): Yeah. I guess so. Walter certainly makes an ass of himself in front of her. I dunno. She's like 20, and laughs like a horse.
Mouse (to Eep): Heh. I'm not accusing you of anything, silly man...
Eep (to Mouse): Heh. I didn't think I was being accused of anything. Can't blame you for being jealous, really. I'm hot, middle-aged shit. I think part of Marlena's problem with "Ms Brennen" is that she's almost the same age.
Mouse (to Eep): Wait... Can I change my reaction? I don't know if I should be feeding into that ego of yours. :-P
Eep (to Mouse): Heh heh. Nope. Probably not. So, Mars was telling me Victor remembers her being younger than her.
Mouse (to Eep): Oh really? ... Do you think it's something we should be concerned about?
Eep (to Mouse): Nah. Probably not. You know him. He'll go nosing around 'til he learns something he didn't wanna know.
Mouse (to Eep): That boy is a bit too much like his father in that respect. Do you think he's mentioned it to Poppy or Vincent?
Eep (to Mouse): Probably not. Again, too much like his dad for his own good.
Mouse (to Eep): Well, I guess we're about due for something ridiculous... Speak of the devil, it looks like I've got to run to work.
Eep (to Mouse): Great. You know how much I love the ridiculous stuff. :-P
Mouse (to Eep): Do you want me to pick up anything on my way back? I'll bring Gabriel with me & get him out of your hair for awhile.
Eep (to Mouse): I'll be fine. Just leave a bowl of water out for me or something. I'll see if I can help Mars with her "nature" project.
Mouse (to Eep): heh. Will do. We'll see you shortly, I hope.
A couple minutes later:
Eep (to Marlena): How's your nature coming along?
Marlena (to Eep): It's horrible. I hate it. It looks like something a retarded monkey threw up. I'm terrible at this whole art thing, I should just stop now. I mean, who am I kidding? I'm never going to make a living at this.
Eep (to Marlena): It does not. You know it doesn't, and you're smart enough to make a living at whatever you damn well please. It's just an exercise anyway to get you out of your comfort zone. It's not supposed to be a masterpiece.
Marlena (to Eep): I know, that's exactly what Professor Brennen said... You're seriously not going to let me whine about this, at all, are you?
Eep (to Marlena): Nope. I'm not gonna tell you anything different than what I tell my students. Besides, you KNOW you're good. You really wanna go into art?
Marlena (to Eep): I don't know, but I enjoy doing it & everyone seems to think I'm good at it. I certainly don't want to be an accountant.
Eep (to Marlena): Heh. There are more careers other than accountant or artist, you know. :-P
Marlena (to Eep): Yeah, I know, I could be an orthodontist... or an ornithologist. :-P heehee, don't make that disapproving face! I'm just being silly.
Eep (to Marlena): I hope so, and ornithologist? How would I ever life down the shame? Not that your mom and I don't love having you, but why are you hanging out here today?
Marlena (to Eep): Oh, um, that apartment is really, really nice & I appreciate the fact that Aunt Poppy said I could use it, but it's a bit lonely. I kinda missed the hustle and bustle of being over here.
Eep (to Marlena): You're always welcome. I was gonna work in the studio tonight, but that can wait. It's just you and me tonight. Want dinner?
Marlena (to Eep): Sure. Is everything alright at Mom's work? She doesn't usually go in on Sundays. I mean, she's taken Goo with her, so it can't be too serious, right?
Eep (to Marlena): Nah. The till's been coming up weird lately. She thinks the new bartender doesn't know how to use the register properly. She's gonna do the inventory with him tonight and reteach him the register.
Marlena (to Eep): Oh, that's good. You want help with making dinner?
Eep (to Marlena): Sure. I'm making WTF fried rice.
Marlena (to Eep): So, basically the thing you make whenever Mom's not home, huh?
Eep (to Marlena): Hey, somebody's gotta eat all those weird leftovers in the fridge.
Marlena (to Eep): I think there's only weird leftovers in the fridge because you were cooking in the first place. :-P
Eep (to Marlena): Feel free to make yourself something.
Marlena (to Eep): No, no... I'll eat whatever you're making. Is something bothering you, Dad? You're normally less touchy about this stuff.
Eep (to Marlena): I'm a little worried about your cousin getting himself into trouble. He's WAY too much like his father sometimes.
Marlena (to Eep): Oh... Do you really think he might do something dumb?
Eep (to Marlena): He'll be fine. I'm sure he won't do anything too dumb. He's not quite as stupid as your uncle was at his age. And, uh, older.
Marlena (to Eep): Heehee... It's hard to imagine Uncle Vincent doing something stupid. He always seems overly careful to me or maybe, it's just an act he puts on for us kids. Did he really follow you around like a puppy when you first met?
Eep (to Marlena): Jesus, yeah. He did. Heh. One of our friends once said his totem animal was a kicked puppy. He's gotten more cautious as he's gotten older. Especially after he almost got himself killed, uh, a couple of times.
Marlena (to Eep): Seph's friend, Veronica, has a bit of a crush on him. She gets all shy & fumble-y whenever he stops by the inn. It's ridiculous.
Eep (to Marlena): Oh God. I'll bet he eats that up.
Marlena (to Eep): Yeah, just a bit. Victor's eyes practically get stuck in his head from all the rolls, which is hysterical because I've seen him act the very same way with girls. Seph says she has to keep a list of all the girls that swoon over him. She apparently can't keep track of their names, so she has to give them nicknames based on whatever thing they do a lot.
Eep (to Marlena): Heh. Your mom used to do the same thing when her and Vincent worked at Dracula's Daughter together. Has he had any actual girlfriends?
Marlena (to Eep): No one that seems significant, at least, according to Seph. Victor always seems genuinely annoyed when I'm around. I don't think he likes having to share Seph's attention too much. So, he and I don't ever really talk.
Eep (to Marlena): Probably not. Wish I knew what to tell you, Monkey. Don't feel too left out.
Marlena (to Eep): It's okay. I like being on my own most of the time.
Eep (to Marlena): Heh. I wonder where you get that antisocial attitude?
Marlena (to Eep): I have no idea... Probably from Mom.
Eep (to Marlena): Well, yeah. Obviously.
Meanwhile, in New London, Britannia:
Poppy (to Victor & Vincent): Well hello, sweeties, I didn't expect you both to be greeting me on my return. I half-expected to have to seek you out. (to Vincent) Isn't this your night of adventure telling at that pub you like, husband?
Vincent (to Poppy & Victor): Yes. Usually, but lately, the tales have taken a turn for the familiar, haven't they, Victor? Do you want to tell your mother about the Gilgamesh, or shall I?
Poppy (to Victor & Vincent): The Gilgamesh? As in the new battle airship that was to be unveiled next week? Why do I get the feeling I'm going to need a drink?
Vincent (to Poppy & Victor): As in the ship that, somehow, ended up 50 miles away from the field where it was docked. (to Poppy) I'll get you something, hun. I could use something myself.
Poppy (to Vincent): Thank you, lover. (to Victor) Alright, Victor, start talking.
Victor (to Poppy): No. Mom, listen. It wasn't like that. I mean, we didn't actually think we would make it out of the airfield... Um, I mean... We pulled all the pins out of the cannons, and... Um. Sorry.
Poppy (to Victor): Who is this we you are referring to or should I simply make an educated guess?
Victor (to Poppy): Oh. Um, just some people I know.
Poppy (to Victor): Just some people, huh? Well, then perhaps you might want to return these scarves to them... Oh, and here's your tiepin. I just spent the past day being shown around the Gilgamesh... because I was asked to consult about it's disappearance. I am so livid-- You are so grounded.
Victor (to Poppy): I know. I'm sorry. We didn't hurt anyone! We were just trying to...
Poppy (to Victor): Trying to what? Make your mother lose her job? I work for the empire, Victor. I don't always agree with what they do, but I took an oath... and I lied to my superiors to protect you & your "friends". (to Vincent) Thank you for the drink, honey. Talk some sense into your son, please.
Vincent (to Victor): Your intentions would hardly matter if you or your cousins had been captured or hurt, young man. More than just that, do you realize what could have happened to you if they had worked out who you are? What you can do?
Victor (to Vincent): I know!
Poppy (to Victor & Vincent): Honey, you are so much smarter than this... I-- I have such a headache. So, how did you do it? How'd you get on the ship?
Victor (to Poppy): Um, the inhibitor hasn't been working for a couple of months, and Mars wanted to see it... The ship, I mean, and I felt bad for messing up her life, somehow...
Vincent (to Victor): What do you mean? How did you mess up her life somehow?
Poppy (to Victor): Honey, did you have one of your episodes? The headache with a new memory?
Victor (to Poppy & Vincent): Yeah. She was younger than me and Seph. We had gone to visit her and Gabe and I got the times wrong...
Poppy (to Victor & Vincent): Honey, come here. You didn't screw anything up. I'm still mad about the Gilgamesh, but you look like you need a hug. You going back to see your cousins shouldn't have done anything that drastic.
Victor (to Poppy & Vincent): I mean, didn't I screw something up? I only get those headaches that bad when I've changed something.
Vincent (to Victor): Besides, does Marlena seem screwed up to you? More than anyone else in our family, that is. It's fine. You are still so VERY grounded.
Victor (to Poppy & Vincent) Yeah. I know.
Poppy (to Victor): Tomorrow, we'll tell you what the rest of your punishment is, for now, go to your room... We still love you, Victor.
Victor (to Poppy): Yes, ma'am. I know. I love you too.
Poppy (to Vincent): What are we going to do with him, lover? Every time I think we've gotten through to him how careful he needs to be, he pulls some hare-brained stunt, like this. I know, he means well, but-- It's enough to drive me to drink... more.
Vincent (to Poppy): Speaking of which, let me get you another one, hun. I don't know what we're going to do about him, honestly. On the one hand, I'm intensely relieved that he's not like worse. Like me or you. But good god... Here you go, lover. That boy is going to give me a full head of gray hair before he's done.
Poppy (to Vincent): I know, honey... And, I know part of it is Persephone. She seems to be able to talk him to just about anything. I'm glad that he has a friend, but he needs a bit more common sense. Maybe, it's time we take up your sister's offer to let him stay with them for awhile?
Vincent (to Poppy): That might not be a bad idea. You know those Longfellow girls. They're nothing but trouble.
Poppy (to Vincent): Heh. Well, that's why they're so rare, honey. Too many of them and the world would be doomed. ;-)
Vincent (to Poppy): Mmm. Hee hee. I know I certainly have a soft spot for them.
Poppy (to Vincent): Oh, is that so? I'll have to keep that in mind. And, here I was thinking that you had lost interest in me with all those pretty young things making goo-goo eyes at you.
Vincent (to Poppy): Oh God. We need to call my sister and your brother and tell them about the girls' little joyride.
Poppy (to Vincent): Oh, Bernard won't be too hard, it's Molly that's going to be the tricky one... I'll deal with that in the morning. Lucky me. Though, I'm tempted to confront the girls and make them confess to their parents on their own.
Vincent (to Poppy): Persephone might crack, but I don't know that Mars will. She could stare down a snake.
Poppy (to Vincent): Well, I suspect you might be right... So, are you going to tell your sister or Eep? Or just tell them together?
Vincent (to Poppy): We can worry about it tomorrow. Right now, there's only one pretty young thing I want making goo goo eyes at me.
Poppy (to Vincent): Oh? Is it that little red haired girl at the post office? :-P
Vincent (to Poppy): Oh no. Of course not, but she can be involved too if you don't mind. :-P
Poppy (to Vincent): Shut up and kiss me, you handsome lech.
