Mouse (to Eep): No, she seems to have lost interest in him, since he's just laying there looking sullen. She's in her room playing with her toys. I thought I'd let you sleep in since you've been waking up with Mars the last few days. Want some coffee?
Eep (to Mouse): Coffee would be great. Thanks. We'll get Sulky McGee sorted out today. Mostly. Or, as much as we can, I mean. You know what I mean. The longer they both fume at each other the worse it's gonna be.
Mouse (to Eep): You're absolutely right. So, how should we tackle this?
Eep (to Mouse): Lock them in a closet together until the work it out? I don't know. I'm halfway tempted to call her.
Mouse (to Eep): Well... Actually, that's not a bad idea. I'll make little brother come with me & Mars to the museum. It'll be a good distraction.
Eep (to Mouse): Oh. You really think so? Heh. I think I was half expecting you to say what a shitty idea it is. It'll be unexpected, I guess.
Mouse (to Eep): Heh. I'll go collect our museum goers.
Eep (to Mouse): Alright. See you soon. Have fun. I'll see if I can get a hold of the half-sized spy.
Mouse (to Vincent): Hey there, little brother, get yourself tidied up. We're taking Mars to the childrens' museum.
Vincent (to Mouse): Oh. We are?
Mouse (to Vincent): Yep. You love it.
Vincent (to Mouse): Heh. I do, but not as much as you. You took me there right after you took me in. You told the lady at the ticket booth I was 10.
Mouse (to Vincent): Heehee, well I thought it was funny. And, Mars has never been & you need the distraction.
Vincent (to Mouse): Probably. Maybe we can convince the ticket lady I'm 10 again.
Mouse (to Vincent): It'll be fun to try.
A short time later:
Eep (to Poppy): Hey, Poppy? Um, can you read me? Am I using this fucking thing right?
Poppy (to Eep): Hello? Eep, is that you?
Eep (to Poppy): Um, yeah. I wasn't sure I was using this fucking thing right. How you guys doing?
Poppy (to Eep): About as well as can be expected... Have you called to plead Vincent's case?
Eep (to Poppy): He doesn't know I'm calling. Mouse took him to the museum to get him moving. He hasn't moved off our couch in like two days. OK, I'm crap at this, so here's the deal. I think he's losing his shit. I dunno for sure but when I acted like he's acting... I got real messy, real fast. Look, I'm not saying you have to forgive him. You're right. He fucked up. Big time. But, he's not doing too good. We've been trying to keep him going, but, you're the only one he lets in that thick skull.
Poppy (to Eep): Oh... I'm-- I'm sorry to hear that, honey. Honey, I know you're trying to help him and I really appreciate everything you're doing... but he-- No, you don't want to hear it.
Eep (to Poppy): Whatever he's thinking or feeling, he's doing it alone. I've been there. It fucking sucks. I'm not trying to tell you what to do. I just thought you should know.
Poppy (to Eep): I'm not doing this because I want to punish him... He hurt me with that hare-brained Captain Ahab impression. I want to be there for him really I do, but I can't right this second. When he gets his head out his arse, He knows where I am.
Eep (to Poppy): I didn't think you were trying to punish him, and I know he hurt the shit out of you. He's an idiot. I'm sorry he is. I'm, uh... Fuck it. I'm worried about him. Like I said, I've been there. Thinking clearly isn't gonna be a strong suit. I'm worried about you too. No offense, but you're both kinda defensive, hard-headed, jackasses when it comes to this stuff.
Poppy (to Eep): ... Wow. You're not pulling any punches, honey. And, I hate to admit it but you're absolutely right... I'll be at your place in 2 minutes. Make sure there's a cup of coffee waiting for me.
Eep (to Poppy): Two minutes? How are you going to get here in two... OH! Jesus! How the fuck...? Wow. Christ. That's a new trick. You wanted coffee, right?
Poppy (to Eep): Oof... It's an old trick, actually. I don't like to do it too often, because it takes a lot out of me. Coffee would be swell, honey. Here, hold your nephew for second before my legs give out...
Eep (to Poppy): I got him. Sit down. You look wiped. You want anything to eat?
Poppy (to Eep): No, thank you, honey. The coffee should be fine. I'm sorry to surprise you, but well, I figured this is a discussion better done face to face. Look, I'll be frank with you. I don't know what to do. I love Vincent... and he did something so incredibly stupid. I don't want him to suffer, which is why I didn't want him to pursue Hiiri in the first place. I knew it was going to end badly no matter what happened. But, discovering that he expected not to survive the encounter... That's something else entirely.
Eep (to Poppy): Christ. I really wish I knew what to tell you, Poppy. I really do.
Poppy (to Eep): I know, honey and I know that he wants to apologize but I'm not really sure he understands why I'm really upset. He can be quite obtuse at times... Sometimes, it's an endearing quality most often, it's just annoying.
Eep (to Poppy): Yeah. No fucking kidding.
Poppy (to Eep): Thank you for the coffee, Eep. I'm going to make my way home. When Vincent gets back, please tell him to go home. I'll handle the rest.
Eep (to Poppy): Yeah. I will. Hey, if you, um, if you need anything, lemme know.
Poppy (to Eep): Thank you, honey. I'll be fine as soon as my husband stops acting like an idiot.
Several hours later:
Marlena (to Mouse): Oh Mommy, can we go back to the museum sometime? I liked it.
Mouse (to Marlena): Of course. I'm glad you liked it... Now, you know what time it is?
Marlena (to Mouse): Umm, time for ice cream?
Mouse (to Marlena): Heh. Good try, Miss monkey, but no. It's time for your afternoon nap.
Marlena (to Mouse): Oh okay... (to Eep) Hi Daddy. Bye Daddy. Mommy's making me take my nap.
Mouse (to Marlena): Yes, I'm a horrible mother for making you take your nap. You'll thank me later.
Eep (to Mars): Your mom's right. You need a nap. I'll see you when you get up. (to Mouse) Where's Vincent?
Mouse (to Eep): He thought he saw Poppy, so he mumbled something at me & took off. I couldn't tell if he went to hide or went to find her.
Eep (to Mouse): He'd better be going to find her, or I'll smack him on the side of his face that's not all fucked up.
Mouse (to Eep): Heh. I take you talked some sense into her?
Eep (to Mouse): I don't know that I talked any sense into her, but I convinced her to talk to Vincent, at least.
Mouse (to Eep): Well, that's something, at least.
A short time later:
Vincent (to Poppy): Poppy! I--I thought... I thought that was you.
Poppy (to Vincent): Geez, honey, I know I look fabulous but you don't have to knock me over. I do have Victor in my arms.
Vincent (to Poppy): Oh. I'm sorry. (to Victor) I'm sorry, Little Man. I didn't mean to... I'm sorry.
Poppy (to Vincent): It's okay, honey. I'm heading to our place... Are you going to join me?
Vincent (to Poppy): If you'll have me, I'd like that.
Poppy (to Vincent): Hmmm, I suppose... Are you hungry, honey? I have a hankering for some comfort food. If you put Victor to bed, I'll cook.
Vincent (to Poppy): I'm not super hungry, but I can put Victor to bed. (to Victor) Come on, Little Man.
Poppy (to Vincent): Thank you, honey.
A short time later:
Vincent (to Poppy): Victor is down for the count, hun. What are you making?
Poppy (to Vincent): Homemade macaroni & cheese, honey. Are you sure you don't want any?
Vincent (to Poppy): No. No thank you. I'm honestly not hungry. I'm, um, I'm sorry.
Poppy (to Vincent): For not being hungry, honey? It's fine.
Vincent (to Poppy): That's not what I'm talking about, hun. You know that.
Poppy (to Vincent): I know, honey, but I'm not sure how else to deal with all of this.
Vincent (to Poppy): Me either. God. This is certainly awkward, isn't it? Do you want to skip the fight tonight, and pick it up tomorrow?
Poppy (to Vincent): Fine, honey... Let's just pretend that nothing is wrong for the rest of the night... I-- uh, missed you a bunch.
Vincent (to Poppy): I missed you too, hun. So, so... I missed you.
