Hiiri: Well, things have definitely changed. I've clearly been asleep longer than arranged. I'm seriously going to have a word with Carbuncle. What I really need is a mirror... Dear god, I look like a teenager. This will not do. If Maladori is still alive, I think may kill her. How am I supposed to be feared when I look like this? … Hmmm. This actually could come in handy.
In West Piedmont:
Yukiko (to Marlena): Are you going to be around this afternoon for homework/catching up? My train is getting in around 4pm.
Marlena (to Yukiko): I should be. I've been practically under house arrest since you've been gone. How was your trip?
Yukiko (to Marlena): Same old, same old. Father judging in silence while Mother prattles on about how I'm wasting my time going to an art school. But, on the plus side, I did get some great shots of the city... which I can hopefully use for a class.
Marlena (to Yukiko): Well, you know where I'll be when you get into town. Just follow the sounds of ennui & desperation.
Yukiko (to Marlena): Heehee, and you say your mom is melodramatic. I'll see you soon.
Marlena (to Yukiko): See you soon!
Several hours later:
Yukiko (to Mouse): Hi there, Mrs. Estevez. Is Mars home? I would have called first but she said to head on over when I could,
Mouse (to Yukiko): Hi Yoyo. How many times I have asked you not to call me Mrs.? It still weirds me out after all this time. It's just Emma.
Yukiko (to Mouse): Oh right! I'm sorry I forgot. It's just I've spent the last week at home for a funeral & my family's really big on formality.
Mouse (to Yukiko): I'm sorry to hear that... Mars is hiding in her room.
Yukiko (to Mouse): Thanks... Emma. (to Marlena) Knock, knock... Wow... You weren't kidding about the house arrest. No TV, no computer. What on earth did you do?
Marlena (to Yukiko): According to my mom, I was being an idiotic, brash hooligan... I basically got caught being somewhere I shouldn't. It's fine. But, I'm glad to see you. Besides Goo, I've only had my cousin Victor for company & he's been a bit pootie.
Yukiko (to Marlena): Don't be too happy to see me, I've only come for your class notes. :-P
Marlena (to Yukiko): Gee, thanks... Pull up a seat & I'll show you what I've got.
An hour or so later:
Yukiko (to Marlena): So Mars, is your cousin the boy sitting on the porch reading?
Marlena (to Yukiko): Yes... Why do you ask?
Yukiko (to Marlena): No reason really, he's cute. Don't make that face at me. I'm not allowed to date non-Japanese boys. My mom would throw a fit.
Marlena (to Yukiko): Well, that's a bit old-fashioned... I could introduce you later, if you'd like.
Yukiko (to Marlena): If you want... I've got one more set of notes to copy, first.
Marlena: That's just great. One of my friends thinks Victor is cute. F.M.L.
Victor (to Marlena): What? What did I do now?
Marlena (to Victor): Nothing... Can you come to my room? My friend wants to meet you.
Victor (to Marlena): Why? Look, if you two want to put me in a dress or something, Seph has already done it. The results are more terrifying than you would think. Plus, I'm fairly certain I'd destroy one of your dresses, Martian.
Marlena (to Victor): No, that's not it... It's completely harmless, I promise. Look, if you don't want to that's fine. She'll be disappointed, but she'll get over it. I think it's weird that she wants to meet you, anyway. No offense.
Victor (to Marlena): Ohhhh. THAT kind of "wants to meet you." Far be it from me to disappoint a lady.
Marlena (to Victor): ... I can already tell that I'm going to regret this. (to Yukiko) Yoyo, this is my cousin, Victor Harrison. (to Victor) Victor, this is my friend Yukiko Kobayashi, affectionately known as Yoyo.
Yukiko (to Victor): It's very nice to meet you. I'm sorry if your cousin dragged you away from your book.
Victor (to Yukiko): The pleasure is mine, Ms Kobayashi. It was no trouble.
Yukiko (to Victor): So, Mars, tells me that you're going to be visiting for a little while. Are you allowed to leave the house or are you under "house arrest" like she is? (to Marlena) Don't make that face... I'm just being friendly.
Victor (to Yukiko): Yes, I'm afraid I've been banished to the far realms of Estevez house, and am likewise under lock and key.
Marlena (to Victor & Yukiko): Sorry... It's just being the third wheel and all. I'm going to get a drink. Would either of you like one?
Yukiko (to Marlena): Some tea would be nice.
Victor (to Marlena): No, thank you. (to Yukiko) As you can see, Mars isn't exactly thrilled about it. Nor am I, to be fair.
Yukiko (to Victor): Heehee, you'll have to excuse me but I don't think that's her problem with you. I told her I thought you were cute. I think she thinks of you as a little brother & it weirds her out a bit.
Victor (to Yukiko): Really? Well, I can honestly say I didn't suspect that... It can't be all that odd. I mean, I am pretty cute. :-p I'm sure she's had to field plenty of questions from her guy friends about you.
Yukiko (to Victor): Heehee.That's funny, but generally when they find out that I'm seventeen & in college, they usually run the other way. And, it happens less often than you'd think. But, it's sweet of you to say so.
Victor (to Yukiko): Huh. That doesn't say much about the tastes of the gentlemen in West Piedmont. Are you attending the art school too?
Yukiko (to Victor): Yes, I was invited through early admission to the music program... But, I'm secretly taking photography classes, too. My mother is only mildly tolerant of the fact that I'm doing classical piano, if she knew I wanted to be a photographer… well, she'd probably put me under house arrest, too.Though, thankfully my father is a little more understanding... I think.
Victor (to Yukiko): She sounds more than a little bit strict. Heh. I have the opposite problem. My dad has been pushing me to go to college here.
Yukiko (to Victor): Oh? Well, that would be nice... I mean, it's a pretty good school.
Victor (to Yukiko): I think I might know too many of the teachers personally. Of course, so does Mars. Does it bother her that her father works there?
Yukiko (to Victor): If it does, I've never noticed. Honestly, she keeps to herself most of the time. The only reason, we even met was because her father introduced us. My advisor told him about me & the next thing I knew Mars & I were setup on a coffee date. I think he thought we could both use a friend. He was probably right.
Marlena (to Yukiko): Hey, here's your tea... Did you purposefully ask for the most time consuming drink to prepare? (to Victor & Yukiko) Did I interrupt something?
Yukiko (to Marlena): Yes… Thank you for the tea. Awww, you even put it in the mug I like.
Victor (to Marlena): I'm afraid not. I was just asking Ms Kobayashi if it was hard for you going to the school your dad works at.
Marlena (to Victor): Oh. It isn't really that bad. I actually like having lunch with him on campus. The faculty dining area is pretty nice. And Yoyo is really the only person besides you & Seph that I hang out with.
Victor (to Marlena): Heh. Present company excluded, you hang out with weirdos. I'm just kidding, by the way.
Marlena (to Victor & Yukiko): Heehee. He's totally telling the truth. You should meet his cousin, Seph. :-P
Yukiko (to Victor & Marlena): It's alright, I'm sure you're just fine... And, I really need to get back to my dorm & get started on my backlog of homework. (to Marlena) Thank you for the notes, Mars. (to Victor) And, it was very nice to meet you, Victor. I hope we'll run into each other sometime.
Marlena (to Yukiko): No problem, Yoyo. Normal study meetup time on the quad, tomorrow?
Victor (to Yukiko): That I should be so lucky. It was very nice meeting you.
Yukiko (to Marlena): Works for me. See you tomorrow!
Marlena: Dear god, I think I may be ill... oh wait, it was just my cousin laying it on thick.
Victor (to Marlena): Go ahead.
Marlena (to Victor): What? I didn't say a word.
Victor (to Marlena): No, but your face says everything that your mouth doesn't. You don't approve.
Marlena (to Victor): That's not it... It's just, well, Yoyo's mother doesn't approve of her dating a certain kind of boy. So, your flirting is a bit pointless.
Victor (to Marlena): Good heavens, Mars. You really do act like a martian sometimes. I wasn't flirting because I expected it to go somewhere. It was a harmless ego boost for us both. Most people like to be complimented by someone they find attractive. :-P
Marlena (to Victor): Oh… I'm not a martian. I really hate that nickname.
Victor (to Marlena): I don't really think you're a martian, you know. I just started calling you that as a kid because everyone called you Mars. Honestly, you're one of the most stable people I know. Heh. If the truth be told, I was always jealous of you and Seph. We're--I mean--my *parents* are always moving around. They seem to get a bit, uh, twitchy if they stay in one place too long.
Marlena (to Victor): Really? I've always been a little bit jealous of the fact that you get to wander around so much. And, at least, your parents take you with them when they wander. I mean, it almost ended up differently... Oh crap.
Victor (to Marlena): What do you mean?
Marlena (to Victor): It was just something that I overheard my parents talking about awhile ago. It's not important. Forget I mentioned it.
Victor (to Marlena): Pull the other one; it has bells on it.
Marlena (to Victor): Look, when you were a baby something happened & you came to stay with us for awhile. And then, your mom took you to the inn and your dad stayed here for a few days. Your mom was very angry with your dad. I remember some of it, but I was little. My mom & dad mentioned it to each other the other day, which reminded me.
Victor (to Marlena): What? REALLY? Wow...
Marlena (to Victor): Yeah, but clearly they worked it all out, because I don't remember it ever happening again. And, I just meant to show that you are lucky that your parents care about you enough to keep you with them... even if it's a pain with all the moving.
Victor (to Marlena): I know they worked it all out... Obviously. Uh, weirdly, it's kind of reassuring they had some bumps. I mean... They bloody act like Gomez and Morticia all the time, so it's kind of reassuring to know even they had issues at first. And sure. They kept me with them until I became too big a pain in their collective arse.... Which is just hilarious if you read some of my mom's old files. We are saints by comparison.
Marlena (to Victor): Wow... You're an idiot, sometimes, little man. I mean, we did something we shouldn't have & we knew the consequences and we still did it. We were dumb & reckless... I mean, we should have had a better plan for getting caught. And, we were stupid for thinking our parents wouldn't find out about it.
Victor (to Marlena): I'm not an idiot! I'm no brainiac like Mr. Tesla, but I don't REALLY think my parents hate me or anything. But, I think I'm justified in feeling a little put out that my parents send me off when I've done something that isn't even half as horrible as the stuff they were doing at my age. Well--ALMOST my age. And you're right. We should have had a better contingency plan for getting caugh
Marlena (to Victor): You just seem overly upset about being sent to stay with us. I mean, I hate being under house arrest but it could have turned out way worse... Hey, help me open this window.
Victor (to Marlena): ... I'm sorry. It's not you guys. I've always liked visiting, actually. I may whine that I want something more stable, but I hate that I'm being left behind because I'm suddenly "problematic." Especially when I know for a FACT the kind of trouble my folks got themselves embroiled in. I know it's not exactly rational.
Marlena (to Victor): That's probably why they're being so hard on you about this, because they know what kind of trouble they got themselves into and maybe, just maybe, they were hoping that you wouldn't follow in their tiny footsteps. :-P
Victor (to Marlena): Heh. Yeah, no kidding. Why do you think my dad wants me to go to school here? He's hoping I'll be a pharmacist or something. What is wrong with this window?! Is it painted over or something?
Marlena (to Victor): I have no idea. I thought I saw something moving in the backyard, so I thought I'd open it & look. It's probably no big deal.
Victor (to Marlena): Step back for a second... And one, two... THAT got it! Um--uh oh. I'm not sure you're going to get that closed again.
Marlena (to Victor): Damn. I think we might need a hammer & nails. And, hope that no one comes and yells at us.
Victor (to Marlena): Crap! Nope. I've killed the latch. Oh my God... Your parents are going to kill me.
Marlena (to Victor): This is why we can't have nice things.
Mouse (to Marlena & Victor): What the hell is going on in here?
Victor (to Mouse): Nothing! I mean, we were just trying to open the window...
Marlena (to Mouse): Mom, please don't be mad. But, we may have accidentally killed the window.
Victor (to Mouse): I'm so sorry, Aunt Mouse. I'm really, really sorry. I can pay for the damages. Um... I can probably pay for the damages.
Mouse (to Victor): Calm down. It's alright. It was an accident. It's just a window. Your dad has done much worse to this window. (to Marlena & Victor) And, yes, I mean, both of your fathers. Vincent once threw a rollerskate through the window acting like a spazz. And Eep tried to help me replace a cracked window pane & it went horribly wrong.
Victor (to Mouse): He threw a rollerskate... Why on earth would he do that?
Mouse (to Victor): It was an accident. We went skating & he was helping me take one of my skates off. He pulled hard & let go, it flew threw the window. He was so terrified that I was going to send him away. I just asked him to go find my skate while I took care of the window.
Victor (to Mouse): Oh. That's... That makes sense. I am very sorry about the window. We both are. I can help you fix it tomorrow.
Mouse (to Victor): Honestly, Victor, it's fine. I can take care of it, but I appreciate the offer for help. I may take you up on it. (to Marlena & Victor) Why were you guys messing with the window, anyway? Planning your dastardly escape?
Marlena (to Victor & Mouse): No, it was nothing like that. I just thought I saw something in the backyard.
Mouse (to Marlena): Oh? Like what? A dog?
Marlena (to Victor & Mouse): You're going to think I'm crazy, but it was a flash of light. Kinda like when someone arrives via portal.
Victor (to Marlena): What?! Like when a generator opens a doorway? We should... Shit. I don't know.
Mouse (to Victor & Marlena): Oh... You guys stay here. I'll be right back.
Victor (to Mouse): Aunt Mouse... wait. Wait! (to Marlena) Should we follow her? We should follow her. Right?
Marlena (to Victor): I don't know. Do you want her to yell at us? ... We could climb out the window.
Victor (to Marlena): No. Right. It's probably nothing. So, no need to panic. Do you have any weapons? I can handle a sword and a flintlock. Which no one over here uses. Great. Do you have a bat? Nevermind. Let's just... Window.
Marlena (to Victor): Here, take this cricket bat, if it'll make you feel better. I wonder where dad is?
Moments later:
Mouse (to Victor & Marlena): Why are you trying to climb out the window? I looked around the yard & didn't see anything out of the ordinary. Whatever it was, it's gone now.
Marlena (to Mouse): Oh? That's good... We were coming to help.
Victor (to Mouse): Thank goodness!
Mouse (to Victor & Marlena): With a cricket bat & a... tennis racket?
Victor (to Mouse): Hey this is, um... it's wood. (to Marlena) Where did you even get a cricket bat?
Marlena (to Victor): I have no idea... its been in my closet forever.
Mouse (to Marlena & Victor): Well, my little heroes, I am off to bed. Thank you for attempting to come to my rescue. Don't stay up too late & if you do, please stay out of the backyard just to be safe.
Victor (to Mouse): Yes, ma'am. Good night, Aunt Mouse.
Marlena (to Mouse): Okay, Mom. Sleep sweet. (to Victor) You're going to check the backyard, aren't you?
Victor (to Marlena): Weren't you?
Marlena (to Victor): I was thinking about it.
Victor (to Marlena): If it was nothing, then it's no need to worry, right? No harm, no foul. If it WAS something, then we know we should worry. If someone has opened a portal, I would know, right? I mean, shouldn't I know? Seems like something I should be able to know.
Marlena (to Victor): Are you the master of the portals? Do you have some sort of portal sense? Do you know when your mom or dad use them?
Victor (to Marlena): I'm not the MASTER of portals, but, um, yeah. When Mom and Dad open one it's like there's... I don't know, static. Same thing when a stable gateway is around. It's like the air is charged with extra electricity or something. When someone uses a generator to open one it's SUPER pronounced.
Marlena (to Victor): Well, did you sense anything like that? I saw the flash right before I asked you to help me with the window.
Victor (to Marlena): Not really. I mean, I'm getting kind of a headache, but that doesn't mean necessarily mean anything. Probably. I'd have to be near the entry point to know for sure. Hence, the backyard. I know your mom said to stay out...
Marlena (to Victor): Well, come on, then... No sense in either one of us going alone.
Victor (to Marlena): Right. Come on. Might as well grab the cricket bat just in case.
Marlena (to Victor): Right... Lead the way.
Victor (to Marlena): It's probably nothing. I mean, I started to get the headache when you mentioned my parents, so it's probably totes unrela...
Marlena (to Victor): Victor? Are you okay?
Victor (to Marlena): I'm... Yeah... Sorry. Caught me off guard... We--we should get inside.
Marlena (to Victor): What caught you off-guard? What is it? Did someone use a portal?
Victor (to Marlena): Yeah. It's... Yeah. I don't know what this is.There was no generator. I've never... We should probably go inside.
Marlena (to Victor): Okay... Did you just hear something?
Victor (to Marlena): Yes. Go. Go now. Back inside.
Marlena (to Victor): I'm going. I'm going.
Victor: Don't turn around, Victor. That's how every horror movie starts and ends. Just go. Get back into the house. Do not turn around. Do NOT turn. (to Marlena) Mars, you are stopping. You are no longer going.
Marlena (to Victor): Huh? Oh, sorry. I thought I heard a voice.
Victor (to Marlena): I don't like this. The whole place is crawling with... I don't know! I've never felt energy like this before. It's... WAIT! Mars. Marlena! Where the hell are you going?
Marlena (to Victor): The shed. I heard someone calling for help.
Victor (to Marlena): Jesus... We are going to die.
Marlena : Hello?
Victor (to Marlena): Who's there? We're armed, you know!
Hiiri (to Marlena & Victor): Oh... Who are you? Where am I? I appear to be stuck. Could you please help me?
Marlena (to Victor): Oh... It's a girl... (to Hiiri) How on earth did you end up in our shed?
Victor (to Hiiri): Who are you? How the hell did you open a portal like that? (to Marlena) Mars! Wait!
Hiiri (to Victor & Marlena): Oh, is this your shed? I was running & then there was a bright light. Next thing I knew I was in here... I'm sorry I knocked over your shelf. (to Victor) I don't remember... What's a portal? Why do you keep yelling?
Marlena (to Victor): Calm down. I'm not doing anything, I'm just looking. I don't want to move anything until I know it's safe to do so.
Victor (to Marlena): Alright, alright. Just be careful, OK?
Marlena (to Victor): Okay... (to Hiiri) We'll get you out of here as soon as we can. Just stay calm, okay? (to Victor) I need a flashlight. Can you look in that toolbox to your left? There should be one in there.
Victor (to Marlena): Yeah. Sure. We should go get your mom, you know...
Marlena (to Victor): And, have her yell at us for doing exactly what she told us not to? No, thank you.
Victor (to Marlena): Here. Flashlight. There is some potentially injured chick--, (to Hiiri) no offense... (to Marlena) who came through one hell of a scary ass portal, so I think the important thing...
Hiiri (to Victor): None taken.
Victor (to Hiiri): Oh my God...
Hiiri (to Victor): What? Am I hurt badly?
Victor (to Hiiri): No... you're … (to Marlena) Come on, Mars! Move!
Marlena (to Victor): Okay... Stop shoving me. What's going on?
Victor (to Hiiri): We'll be right back. Help. We need help. (to Marlena) That can't be her. It CAN'T. But it was! I... GO. Don't you know? Didn't she look like your mom to you?
Hiiri (to Victor): I'm apparently not going anywhere with this shelf laying across me... So, I'll wait here.
Marlena (to Victor): A little, but she seemed younger. I figured it was just a trick of the light. Besides, my Mom can't portal jump.
Victor (to Marlena): No. No. Not your real mom. Hiiri. The reports! Didn't you read the file! Oh God... My head. What did she do?
Marlena (to Victor): Oh god... What file? What are you talking about? Hiiri's dead... She has to be... She can't be alive...
Hiiri (to Victor & Marlena): Fine. You've figured it out. Bravo! Clearly, my reputation precedes me... And, you must be Victor. And is that my little Marlena, all grown up? Well, look at how you've grown. Like a weed.
Victor (to Hiiri): You just... you stay right there.
Marlena (to Hiiri): Oh god... It really is you.
Hiiri (to Marlena & Victor): Not to worry, my little pint-sized pirate, I am not here to harm you or anyone. Simply a miscalculation. But honestly, feel free to scream... It always warms the cockles of my very dark heart.
Marlena (to Hiiri): Oh god...
Victor (to Hiiri): Feel free to fuck off. (to Marlena) Go get your mom.
Mouse (to Victor & Marlena): It's alright. I'm here. (to Hiiri) Hello, Hiiri. I've been expecting you. Don't bother trying to leave... because you can't.
Victor (to Mouse) Oh my God, are we glad to see you.
Hiiri (to Mouse): What!?! How could you be expecting me?
Mouse (to Hiiri): As if I'm going to tell you. But, to put your mind at ease, the minute you portaged in a disrupter field went up around the house. Makes it impossible to leave. (to Victor) That's why we discourage you from portaging directly to the house.
Victor (to Mouse): Oh. Right. I forgot.
Hiiri (to Mouse): Very clever. But, now the bigger question is what are you going to do with me now that you've caught me?
Mouse (to Victor): I had a feeling you weren't going to listen to me.
Victor (to Mouse): Sorry. (to Marlena) Mars? Are you alright?
Marlena (to Victor): Ummm... no.
Mouse (to Victor): Victor, could you please take Mars inside? I have a very special place to put our guest while we wait for some friends.
Victor (to Mouse): Yes, ma'am. (to Marlena) Come on, Martian. I'll make you some tea or something.
Marlena (to Victor): It just can't be her...
Victor (to Marlena): It's alright. It'll be OK.
Marlena (to Victor): Will it? I used to have nightmares about her every night. Still do on occasion.
Victor (to Marlena): Yeah. I bet... Come on. We can camp out in my room tonight. It'll be OK.
Marlena (to Victor): Ok... Where's my dad? Mom shouldn't be left alone with her.
Victor (to Marlena): She's not. He's standing outside with her. I spotted him lighting a cigarette through the kitchen window. Your mom's OK.
Marlena (to Victor): Okay. That's good.
Victor (to Marlena): Here. Drink this. It's ... it's whatever that crap Uncle Bernard brews. Seph gave it to me for my "episodes." It should knock you right on your arse.
Marlena (to Victor): Thanks, Victor.
