Victor (to Persephone): Hello? Seph? Can you read me?
Persephone (to Victor): Hello?
Victor (to Persephone): Hey! I've been trying to get this thing to work for days.
Persephone (to Victor): Where the hell have you been, Victor? Are you okay?
Victor (to Persephone): I'm stuck here on the other side for God knows how long. Communications have been shitty. How are you doing?
Persephone (to Victor): Well, I'm glad you were able to get through. Things have been crazy here. I've got news. Ma's got herself knocked up again. Da's been strutting around like a peacock. There's no living with him.
Victor (to Persephone): WHAT? Ha ha ha! Looks like you're about to get another little brother.
Persephone (to Victor): Grunt! I hope not. I'd rather have another sister. How are you?
Victor (to Persephone): Heh. From what my mom says, you're more likely to get another brother. She had seven of them, after all. Mom and Dad have been trying to get me to agree to go to college here. Yoyo & I have been, um, getting to know one another.
Persephone (to Victor): Heehee, how's that going? Is she doing okay? You know, after all of the craziness.
Victor (to Persephone): She's been talking to my dad quite a bit about it. Other than that, things have been quiet. It's been driving my parents nuts. They keep taking turns going to Britannia and fighting over who gets to go back next. It's, um, it's going, heh, it's going pretty well. She has good days and bad days with all the craziness.
Persephone (to Victor): Heehee, I bet that's fun to watch. Is it still dangerous for you guys to be on this side?
Victor (to Persephone): Yeah. They think so. Director Carver of CLANNG is still "interested" in me as far as we know. Sucks.
Persephone (to Victor): Yeah, it does. I miss you guys!
Victor (to Persephone): I miss you too. I don't know if I belong over here, Seph. You should see me trying to blend in. It's pathetic & hilarious. I don't know what the hell to do with myself.
Persephone (to Victor): I bet you're doing just fine. Besides, look at how your parents seem to fit in everywhere. You'll get the hang of it. And, if you don't, you'll just be one of those weirdos with no friends. That was supposed to be comforting & humorous then it sounded. Oops.
Victor (to Persephone): Ha ha ha! It's fine. I'm already a weirdo with only a few friends. I can only go up from here. Besides, I'm charming. :-P So, besides the impending brother, what else is going on? How's the inn?
Persephone (to Victor): Goodness, no. It's been fairly boring here. We had a few weddings, an engagement party for the two most boring people in the world. Da's been talking about building an addition to the place, with the new kiddie coming, but Ma won't be having with it. She says it's silly, wasteful & she won't be having with all that hammering around her guests.
Victor (to Persephone): You haven't resorted in talking to the neighbors have you? Tell me you and the Mouth Breather aren't engaged or something. Heh. That sounds like your mom. It sounds like you've been keeping busy. Course, if it's not a gaggle of murderous pirates you're utterly bored. :-P
Persephone (to Victor): Gee, sound like anyone else you know? :-p
Victor (to Persephone): Yes. My mom. And my dad, actually.
Persephone (to Victor): Heehee. It must be contagious. Watch out or you might get it, too.
Victor (to Persephone): Heh. Sure. Wasn't I always the one complaining I had no stability in my life?
Persephone (to Victor): Heehee, yes. So, now that you kind of have it, do you like it?
Victor (to Persephone): Hey! Do you think your parents would let you come visit Mars & me? They said they don't want to "punish" me for my abilities. I'll bet Mom and Dad would let me pop over to the Inn quickly. I mean, probably. Maybe. I love the stability. It's awesome! I'm not asking you to visit because I'm bored or anything.
Persephone (to Victor): Ooooh, I'll ask! That would be so moo! Well then, what are you waiting for? I'll go ask my parents, right now.
Victor (to Persephone): Alright. Alright. I'll ask my folks. (to Poppy) Hey, Mom. Um, could Seph come to visit? I mean, could I go pick her up so she can visit?
Poppy (to Victor): Huh? Oh sorry, honey, I was trying to figure this stupid recipe. I think it's in Swahili or something. What were you saying?
Victor (to Poppy): I don't think that's Swahili. I think it's in Portuguese, Mom. I was asking if Persephone could come visit.
Poppy (to Victor): Oh, would you look at that, you might be right, honey. I'm fine with it, but you may want to ask your father.
Victor (to Poppy): Really? Oh. Thank you. I'll go ask him. Um, I think leite is milk.
Poppy (to Victor): Milk, really? In stew? Forget this. I'm going to make something else.
Victor (to Vincent): Dad? Are you in here? I have... What are you doing?
Vincent (to Victor): Darning a sock & trying to stay out of your mother's way, son of mine. It's all part of the exciting life of a pirate. What on earth is she cooking in there? I've heard more cussing coming out of the kitchen than a longshoremen's convention.
Victor (to Vincent): I'm not sure. Some kind of Portuguese milk stew. Can I ask you for a favor?
Vincent (to Victor): That sounds absolutely dreadful. What's your favor?
Victor (to Vincent): May Persephone come to visit? It's been a while since I've seen her. She can sleep in my room. I'll take the couch. Mom said she didn't mind.
Vincent (to Victor): And I suppose you want to pick her up? If it's alright with your aunt and uncle, I don't mind. Wait, wait, wait. Before you run off. I want you to take your mom or me with you.
Victor (to Vincent): Come on, Dad! It's just the inn. I've been there a MILLION times. I know where to go so no one sees us.
Vincent (to Victor): Alright. But I want you two right back here, no dilly dallying, and I expect you to be even more careful than usual.
Victor (to Vincent): We will! Be careful, I mean! And we'll be right back. You won't even miss us! I promise. I'm going to go try to call her.
Vincent (to Victor): Don't slam the...! Ehhhh. Door. (to Poppy) Good heavens that boy can move. Have you given up on the stew, lover?
Poppy (to Vincent): Gods yes! I'm making good ole fashion beef stew now, honey. How's your sock darning going?
Vincent (to Poppy): Well, there's no more hole in the heel. Of course, that's because I've somehow managed to sew the sock completely shut. I told the little man he can invite his cousin to stay if it's alright with Bernard and Molly.
Poppy (to Vincent): Oh honey, hand it to me. I'll trade you. You stir the stew, I'll see if I can fix your sock or we could find something else to occupy our time?
Vincent (to Poppy): Mmm. I have to say, I find the second option much more intriguing. I can always buy more socks. You would be proud of me, hun. I was NOT the very model of an overprotective father. I told Victor he can pick up Persephone. By himself. This is me giving him more independence, and not panicking at all. Nope. Not even a little bit.
Poppy (to Vincent): Heehee, I'm very proud of you, lover. I knew you could do it.
Vincent (to Poppy): I'll fell better when they've both got their trouble making butts where we can keep an eye on them.
Poppy (to Vincent): I know, honey. And, you're just antsy because we've been in the same place for awhile.
Vincent (to Poppy): Is that stew ready to simmer yet, lover? Come show me how to properly darn a sock. And by "properly darn a sock," I mean forget the whole damn thing.
Poppy (to Vincent): I've got something to get your mind off the whole darn thing.
Vincent (to Poppy): Hee hee. Was it that terrible pun? I think you're right, wife of mine. When did we turn into such wandering wastrels? What do you have in mind to properly distract... Oh my. THAT will work.
A few minutes later:
Victor (to Persephone): Seph? Persephone? Can you read me? Don't tell me this bloody thing has gone out again...
Persephone (to Victor): Hey! Stop yelling! I can hear you just fine.
Victor (to Persephone): Oh. Sorry. Did you ask your parents if you can visit?
Persephone (to Victor): They said I could. So, get your butt over here!
Victor (to Persephone): Excellent! Where are you? We're supposed to be "extra careful" when we cross over.
Persephone (to Victor): Oh, I'm in my bedroom at the moment. Should I go somewhere else?
Victor (to Persephone): Nope. That will work. I know where it is, and no one will see us. Unless you have someone stashed in the closet. Again. :-P
Persephone (to Victor): No, not this time. Sheesh, you hide a boy in a closet once & that's all anyone can talk about. Ever.
Victor (to Persephone): You mean, you've only been *caught* doing it once. OK. Stand away from your bed. I'm going to open a portal there.
Persephone (to Victor): Alright.
Victor (to Persephone): Right here I...
A moment later at the Longfellow Inn; New London, Britannia :
Victor (to Persephone): Ow. Good GOD! What the ruddy hell was that?
A moment later at the Longfellow Inn; New London, Britannia :
Victor (to Persephone): Ow. Good GOD! What the ruddy hell was that?
Persephone (to Victor): What is what!?! Are you okay?
Victor (to Persephone): I think so. It feels like there's ants crawling all over my skin! Did your parents install a dampening field or something?
Persephone (to Victor): I'm not sure. If they did, they didn't tell me.
Victor (to Persephone): Guh. I feel like I got electrocuted. I guess we'll find out if there's a field when I try to go back to my parents' place. Are you ready to go?
Persephone (to Victor): Yes, I'm ready.
Victor (to Persephone): Alright. I know I don't usually ask you to do this, but do you remember what my parents' kitchen looks like?
Persephone (to Victor): Um, yes I think so. You're kinda making me nervous.
Victor (to Persephone): Just concentrate on it as much as you can. Don't be nervous. It's probably nothing. Heh. My folks have made me paranoid too. Ready? Here we go. One... Two...
A moment later, in West Piedmont:
A moment later, in West Piedmont:
Persephone (to Victor): Gah! That was weird. Victor? Could you get off of me? I love you & all, but we're not that kind of cousins. :-p
Victor (to Persephone): Seph? Can you... I should probably...
Vincent (to Persephone & Victor): So that's who's making a ruckus out here. Hello, Seph. It's good to see you. What is Victor doing? (to Victor) Victor? Victor! Woah! Easy, kiddo. (to Persephone) Hun, go get the first aid kit out of the bathroom, please.
Persephone (to Vincent):Yessir.
A minute later:
Persephone (to Vincent): Here you go. What's wrong? Is he okay?
Vincent (to Persephone): It's OK, hun. He'll be fine. He blacked out. Grab the smelling salts for me? Thank you. What on earth happened? (to Victor) Are you with us?
Persephone (to Victor): Nothing, really. He came over. Said something about feeling ants crawling on him. He asked if we had installed a dampener. We crossed over & then this.
Victor (to Vincent): Dad? What... What happened? Why... Why aren't you wearing a shirt?
Vincent (to Victor): Oh thank goodness! Welcome back. (to Persephone) Wait. What? He tried to open a portal through a dampener?
Persephone (to Vincent): We didn't know there was a dampener. No one told me about it.
Vincent (to Victor): You tried to open a portal through a dampening field! What were you thinking?
Victor (to Vincent): Oh. God. Dad... Please... please don't yell. Is that what I did? I wasn't sure... Is Seph alright?
Vincent (to Victor): Alright. OK. This is me, not yelling. It's not your fault. I'm sorry I got upset. (to Persephone) Are you feeling OK, hun?
Persephone (to Victor & Vincent): It felt a little different than before, but I'm okay. (to Victor) Are you alright? You look a little grey.
Victor (to Persephone): I'm OK. I think... I'm not sure. Everything aches (to Vincent) Dad. Seriously. Why aren't you wearing a shirt?
Vincent (to Persephone): Hee hee. He'll be OK, hun. Don't fret. (to Victor) Come on, Little Man. You should lie down.
Persephone (to Victor & Vincent): Heehee, I think we may have interrupted something with our arrival.
Victor (to Persephone): Oh. Oh Gross. God... NOW I feel sick.
Vincent (to Victor & Persephone): Hey now! You two should be as lucky in your old age as the missus and I.
Persephone (to Victor): I think it's adorable.
Victor (to Persephone): That's because you don't live with it.
Vincent (to Victor): Yes, yes. Your mother and I are terrifying. Yuck it up. Here we are. Lie down and get some rest. (to Persephone & Victor) Let us know if you two need anything. Just make sure to knock if the bedroom door is closed.
Persephone (to Vincent): Thank you, Uncle Vincent. (to Victor) Can I get you something?
Victor (to Persephone): A lobotomy so I don't think about what my dad just said. "Cute?" So. Gross. I'm just teasing, you know. Don't make that face. I'm OK. So, that's what opening a portal in a dampening field feels like. Can't say that I'm a fan.
Persephone (to Victor): Yeah, I don't blame you. I only got a taste of it & I didn't like it that much either.
Victor (to Persephone): Heh. It figures that the first time my parents were 100% A-OK with me jumping somewhere, this bloody happens.
Persephone (to Victor): I wonder what caused it? I mean, I don't remember my parents installing an dampening field, unless they did it while I was away somewhere.
Victor (to Persephone): I don't think so. If your mom and dad had installed it, they would have warned you to turn it off before I got there. Or maybe not. Maybe they have one set up like Aunt Mouse does, and forgot about it.
Persephone (to Victor): Well, if it was a dampener, it's pretty impressive that you managed to get through it. I didn't think that was possible.
Victor (to Persephone): I don't think it is for most people. Most of them work by interrupting the energy that opens the doorway to a portal. Sometimes, if two people open a portal at the same time, and use slightly different energy signatures, it'll overload it... But, um, I'm... Well, you know. I'm me. I asked you to concentrate on the kitchen, because I used you to open the portal. I opened it a few seconds after we left. I thought if disrupted the time stream a bit too, we'd be able to break through.
Persephone (to Victor): Uh huh, right. I have no idea what you just said. I hope my eyes didn't glaze over too much.
Victor (to Persephone): Oh. Heh. No, not really. Sorry. I didn't mean to bore you.
Persephone (to Victor): You still look a little peaky. You probably want to go to sleep. I know portal jumping tires you out. Unless, you want me to stay here and continue to look at you all slack-jawed while you try to explain things to me. And, you didn't bore me, I just don't really have anything to add to the conversation, so it would have been very one-sided.
Victor (to Persephone): Oh. Right. Sorry. I'm sorry I used you to open a portal. I hope it didn't hurt too badly. How's your wrist doing?
Persephone (to Victor): The stupid cast itches like crazy. I stole a wooden spoon from our kitchen back home to shove down it to scratch but, it's healing. So, hopefully, i can have it off soon.
Victor (to Persephone): Who's Ben?
Persephone (to Victor): Huh? Whatcha mean, who's Ben? He's my brother, you silly. You know, the 12 year old menace. Looks like he's plotting something.
Victor (to Persephone): Not THAT Ben. The Ben that signed your cast with a "Get better soon, Gorgeous." Somehow, I don't think your brother would write that. Plus, your eye is doing that twitching thing that it does when you're lying.
Persephone (to Victor): Oh, that Ben... He's just the son of the new baker that opened up shop down the road from the inn. He's off at university. He came by to visit his parents and I was introduced to him by dull as dishwater Alice Munsie. He asked if he could sign it. Stop telling me that my eye twitches. You'll give me a complex.
Victor (to Persephone): Heh heh. It DOES twitch. Don't worry. Most people aren't going to notice. So do you like this baker's boy Ben, or do you have another poor lad pining away for you?
Persephone (to Victor): Oh, I don't know about Ben. He's a bit older than I am & flirts with everything. I don't think he's really interested in me. I mean, he flirts with me, sure but it's nothing special. And, of course, Gilbert has returned from his Gran's to tell me of his unending love for me & wants to ask Da if he can woo me... He's such a toad. I may have to swear off boys. The pickings are getting mighty slim in New London.
Victor (to Persephone): Ugh. I'm fairly certain Gilbert is more toad than human. Heh. You can't have exhausted ALL of New London. Even if you have, spend some time around the school. Apparently there's good "talent" here. At least that's what Mars says.
Persephone (to Victor): Well, that's an idea. Of course, I'll have to pretend I'm a tourist.
Victor (to Persephone): Heh. That's what I've been doing. Did you know we have accents? You'll have more admirers in two days than you know what to do with.
Persephone (to Victor): Oh? Do we? I guess I never thought about it before. Where do you tell people you're from?
Victor (to Persephone): England. Outside of London if they press. I mean, it's *technically* true. It works for most people. Dad says to smile vaguely and nod if they press too much. Heh. Yoyo pretends she doesn't speak enough English to understand.
Persephone (to Victor): Well, that's good to know. So, have you & Yoyo moved past the kissing & holding hand stage, yet?
Victor (to Persephone): Seph, she's from a traditional Nipponese family.
Persephone (to Victor): So, that's a yes, then?
Victor (to Persephone): Wow. Suddenly, I'm really, REALLY tired. Boy, opening that portal sure took a lot out of me.
Persephone (to Victor): Heehee, I bet. I was only teasing you, anyway. But, you should probably get some sleep.
Victor (to Persephone): Yeah. Probably. Thank you for dropping it. I think it would really embarrass Yoyo if I said that we had... Oh. Um. Nothing!
Persephone (to Victor): Oh? Now, I'm really curious, but I'll bite my tongue. Grunt! This going to be hard.
Victor (to Persephone): Shit. Me and my mouth... Give it time. You know I can't keep a secret worth a damn.
Persephone (to Victor): Heehee, probably. Alright, I'll let you off the hook for now. Good night, I'll see you in the morning.
Victor (to Persephone): Night...
