Poppy (to Nathaniel): Oof... Oh, hi there, honey. I didn't expect anyone to be up and about, right now... Um, this isn't what it looks like.
Nathaniel (to Poppy): What the fuck... How is that not what it looks like?! Are you bleeding?
Poppy (to Nathaniel): Yes, maybe just a smidge. I got into a bit of a scuffle. Could you please grab the first aid kit from under the sink?
Nathaniel (to Poppy): A bit of scuffle?! Yeah! I'd say so. Do you need to go to the hospital? Should we call the cops or something?
Victor (to Poppy & Nathaniel): What the hell is going on out here!? Is everything... Oh. (to Poppy) Hey, Mom. Are you alright? Do you need a hand?
Nathaniel (to Victor): How the hell are you so calm? Your mom just got fucking stabbed!
Victor (to Nathaniel): Because she'll be fine. Here. I'll do that. Sit down. You look a little green.
Poppy (to Victor): Yes, honey. It's not too bad. Could you please help your cousin find the first aid kit? He seems to be having some trouble.
Victor (to Poppy): Got it. Where are you hurt? Do you need stitches?
Poppy (to Victor): It's my damn upper arm, again. It should only need a couple stitches. And there goes my favorite shirt. That will teach me to go to a meeting with the Drakes without backup. Apparently, they still hold a grudge and, recognized me. It was a rookie mistake. (to Nathaniel) Honey, feel free to go into another room, if you're going to be ill. I won't take offense.
Victor (to Poppy): Mom! What are you always hammering into my head about backup? Or is this a case of "do what I say, not what I do"? :-P
Poppy (to Victor): I know, I know, honey, but it was supposed to be a simple retrieval job, nothing special. I fully admit to being a tad cocky. I was told it would take all of an hour. I didn't know it was a Drake until I was there & he tried to stab me. I'm never going to hear the end of this from your father. He gets too much pleasure out of me making mistakes sometimes.
Victor (to Poppy): Heh heh. That's because it's usually him that ends up bloody. Your shirt is ruined but your arm doesn't look too bad. You'll only need about a dozen stitches. Do you want me to do it, or can you wait for a doctor?
Poppy (to Victor): Honestly, honey, I'd prefer you to do it, but I'm not sure your cousin can handle much more of this. I'll take care of it. It's just a hop, skip & a jump to the hospital... (to Nathaniel) How you holding up, champ?
Nathaniel (to Poppy & Victor): What... What the fuck is going on? Are you people mobsters or something?
Victor (to Nathaniel): What? No! Don't be ridiculous. We're not... Oh. Well, maybe we are. Sort of. But, not really.
Poppy (to Nathaniel): No, not even in the slightest, honey. The easiest explanation is that I sort of work for the British government.
Nathaniel (to Poppy): How do you "sort of" work for the British government? That doesn't make any sense.
Poppy (to Nathaniel): Well, it's a bit complicated, honey.
Vincent (to Poppy, Victor & Nathaniel): What in the name of Zod is going on in here? You're going to wake half the neighborhood.
Poppy (to Vincent): Oh bugger. Good morning, lover. Sorry for the uproar. It's nothing to worry your gorgeous head about.
Victor (to Vincent): Mom got hurt at work, Nate's freaking out a little bit, and you wandering in without a shirt & a sword isn't helping, Dad!
Poppy (to Victor): Honey, I'm completely fine with your father wandering around without a shirt on, but the sword is a bit much.
Vincent (to Victor): Oh good heavens! I was practicing.
Nathaniel (to Poppy, Victor & Vincent): You people are all nuts! I know insane, and this is it. I... Shit. I had a break again, didn't I? OK. OK. OK... This is not happening...
Vincent (to Poppy, Nathaniel & Victor): OK, everyone calm down. (to Poppy) Lover, let me take you to the doctor. I think we may have to see Dr. Thorne. If I keep bringing you to Dr. Addison all banged up, she's going to think I'm a brute. Hee hee. Or more likely, you're beating up me, and I finally snapped and retaliated. :-P (to Nathaniel) Deep breaths, kiddo. You're fine. (to Victor) Victor, see what you can do for Nate.
Victor (to Vincent): Yes, sir. (to Nathaniel) Come on. I'll get you some tea or coffee or something.
Poppy (to Vincent): Heehee, you are brute, lover. I can't even say that with a straight face. I can get myself to Dr. Thorne just fine. I'm a bit worried about your nephew. He was institutionalized before and I'm beginning to suspect I know why.
Vincent (to Poppy): Hee hee. I have always been more of a lover than a fighter, hun. :-p What are you thinking?
Poppy (to Vincent): I'm not sure just yet, lover, but his paperwork talked about breaks from reality, fantasy world... Sound familiar?
Vincent (to Poppy): Oooo. More than a little bit. Poor kid. Alright, lover. You get yourself to the doctor and get patched up, and I'll see what I can do for the kids.
Poppy (to Vincent): Be back in a jiffy, honey.
Meanwhile, in the kitchen:
Persephone (to Victor & Nathaniel): What's with all the ruckus? Are we being attacked?
Victor (to Persephone): Not today. Mom came home from work a little bit hurt and, uh... I think we broke Nate. He freaked out earlier, and he hasn't said a word in the past ten minutes.
Nathaniel (to Victor & Persephone): I am NOT broken! I'm not engaging and I'm waiting for this to pass. I should've known this was all bullshit.
Persephone (to Nathaniel): What on earth are you talking about? This is completely normal... for us.
Victor (to Persephone & Nathaniel): Are you kidding? This is a slow day. Oops, (to Persephone) I'm not sure we're helping, Seph.
Persephone (to Nathaniel): Oops. Nate, you're not going crazy. Honest.
Nathaniel (to Persephone): Yeah. I know. I've already arrived at crazy. Thanks though.
Vincent (to Persephone & Victor): OK, you two. Clear off. Let me talk to Nate in private please. (to Persephone) And no eavesdropping, Persephone. (to Victor) And Victor, hand over whatever it is you lifted off your cousin. What have I told you about that?
Persephone (to Vincent): Yes, sir. (to Victor) This is so unfair.
Victor (to Vincent): But, I just... I thought if he was freaking out, he shouldn't have anything on him that might be harmful...
Vincent (to Victor): Victor. Hand it over and apologize.
Victor (to Vincent): Yes, sir. (to Nathaniel) Sorry. (to Persephone) Come on, we'll head to my room.
Vincent (to Nathaniel): These are yours, I believe.
Nathaniel (to Vincent): How the fuck did he get... It doesn't matter. It's not like they're working anyway. I thought I was done with this shit.
Vincent (to Nathaniel): You're not crazy, kiddo. And you're not cracking up, or having breaks from reality, or any of that other garbage. You've got what appears to be a family condition.
Nathaniel (to Vincent): Oh. So we're all fucking nuts. Great.
Vincent (to Nathaniel): Hee hee. Nothing quite so simple. I promise, no matter how bizarre what I'm about to tell you sounds, it's all true.
In Victor's bedroom:
Victor (to Persephone): Can you hear anything?
Persephone (to Victor): Shhhh. Your dad is trying to explain that Nate's not nuts, something about a family condition. If you'd stop hovering and breathing in my ear so loudly, I probably could hear a bit better.
Victor (to Persephone): Oh alright, alright! Man, the way he was acting, you'd think mom came home half blood-soaked and carrying a body.
Persephone (to Victor): Heehee. That was probably last month. :-P
Victor (to Persephone): Firstly, usually, it's Dad. Secondly, they've never brought home a BODY. Hostages once or twice, yes, but no dead people. Yikes. That sounds kind of bad when you say it out loud. No wonder Mr. Angst was freaking out.
Persephone (to Victor): I know. I was just teasing. Sheesh. Why don't you go see your girlfriend or something? I'll stay here & spy.
Victor (to Persephone): FINE. I'll get out of your hair. I should probably tell her that Mom's in no shape to spar today, anyway.
Persephone (to Victor): Well, if she wants to spar, I could use the practice. Don't look at me like that. I promise I won't get cranky if she wins.
Victor (to Persephone): You say that now. Alright. Let me see if she's up for it. (to Yukiko) Hi, Yoyo. What time were you supposed to meet my mom today?
Yukiko (to Victor): Hey, Victor! After my afternoon class, so like around 2 or so. Why? What's up?
Victor (to Yukiko): Mom hurt her arm at work today, so she's not going to be able to spar. Uh, Seph wanted to know if you wanted to practice with her instead. She promised not to be a sore loser. You don't have to! You can totes say no.
Yukiko (to Victor): I could just do my normal form practice, but practical application is much better. And, I've never sparred with her. I suppose it wouldn't hurt to do it, once. Unless, you think I shouldn't.
Victor (to Yukiko): It'll be fine. Seph will be thrilled, that's for sure. She's been more than a little pouty since we've been stuck on this side, and she's had no chance to practice.
Yukiko (to Victor): We certainly don't want her to pout. Let her know, I'll be over at 2pm. I gotta run to class.
Victor (to Yukiko): Heh. OK. I will. Thanks. I'll see you then. (to Persephone) Yoyo said she'll be over at around 2 to spar. Learn anything else interesting?
Persephone (to Victor): No, I think they moved too far away. It just sounds like mumbling. Grunt!
Victor (to Persephone): Damn. Who knows, maybe he'll warm up to us, we'll all become best friends and then he'll tell us what happened.
Persephone (to Victor): Uh huh... You keep thinking that.
Victor (to Persephone): Yeah. Then the Empress of Britannia will knight the lot of us, and we can all live in a fancy castle on a moor. :-P
Vincent (to Persephone & Victor): I'm sorry to interrupt your attempts to spy on us, kids, but I need your help for minute.
Victor (to Vincent): Oh. Sure, Dad.
Persephone (to Vincent): Heehee, of course. What do you need, uncle?
In the living room:
Vincent (to Persephone): Can you tell Nate where you're from, hun? Where you're REALLY from.
Persephone (to Vincent): Oh, sure. (to Nathaniel) I'm from New London in the empire of Britannia. My parents own an inn just outside the Tombs.
Nathaniel (to Persephone): You're fucking with me.
Persephone (to Nathaniel): I am not. It's completely true.
Viincent (to Nathaniel): She's not, Nate. (to Victor) Can you tell if Nate is a portal-skipper?
Victor (to Vincent): Oh! Uh, I don't know. Maybe. I'd have to... (to Nathaniel) Give me your hand for a minute.
Nathaniel (to Victor): Fuck off!
Victor (to Nathaniel): Don't be an idiot. Give me a second... (to Vincent) I'm not 100% sure, Dad, but I think he is. I mean, it's hard for me to find his anchor, like you and Mom.
Persephone (to Poppy): Aunt Poppy, you're back!
Poppy (to Persephone, Nathaniel, Victor & Vincent): Oof! Gah! There are bloody well too many people in this house.
Vincent (to Poppy): Well, I'm not going to complain when you collapse into my arms, lover.
Poppy (to Vincent): Heh. (to Nathaniel) I hope I didn't freak you out, honey. You look a bit like a deer in the headlights. (to Vincent) Judging by the looks on all your faces, I take it the talk hasn't been going well, lover. (to Persephone) Your parents send their regards, Seph honey.
Vincent (to Poppy): Not particularly well, hun.
Poppy (to Vincent): Well, since your way seems to be a bust. Shall we try it my way, honey?
Vincent (to Poppy): Be my guest, hun. (to Victor & Persephone) Come on you two. Give Nate some breathing room. Into the kitchen.
Nathaniel (to Poppy, Vincent, Victor & Persephone): No. No. No! This is insane! You're all just... This is fucking crazy!
Persephone (to Vincent): Yes sir. Is he going to be alright?
Vincent (to Persephone): He'll be fine, hun.
Poppy (to Nathaniel): Honey, calm down. I know this is a lot to take in & that everyone told you that you were crazy. Those pills you've been taking haven't done anything to stop the weirdness, have they? If you'll let me, I'd like to show you something.
Nathaniel (to Poppy): No. They aren't helping. They never helped.
Poppy (to Nathaniel): That's because what you've been seeing are not hallucinations. Have you just seen glimpses or have you been wandering over? When it first started for me, I just saw flashes of places at first. Then, one day I walked through a rip, at least, that's what it looked like. I ended up in these woods the likes of which I had never seen. I thought I had gone round the bend.
Nathaniel (to Poppy): I... I went, I don't know, someplace else, I think, when I was a kid. My parents thought I'd read too many Narnia books... I-I'm not sure. It's hard to remember. I was told so, so many times...
Poppy (to Nathaniel): I know, honey. I'm sorry you had to go through that alone. If you're willing, I can take you to see where I grew up. Just take my hand. If you don't want to, I'll understand. I know this is a lot to process.
Nathaniel (to Poppy): Yeah. OK. If this all this shit is true, prove it. If I'm not fucking crazy, I wanna know I'm not fucking crazy.
Poppy (to Nathaniel): Alright, honey. Now, I don't know if you can do this. I know your uncle can't. But, we can leave from right here... Can you see the portal opening or feel the tingling sensation on your skin?
Nathaniel (to Poppy): Yeah. I... Jesus fucking shit! Is that... Is that the portal?
Poppy (to Nathaniel): That would be it. We can walk through it, if you'd like.
Nathaniel (to Poppy): Christ, I don't... No. No. I said I would do this. If I'm gonna wonder my whole life what was on the other side.
Poppy (to Nathaniel): Alright. Here we go...
A moment later, in New London, Britannia:
Poppy (to Nathaniel): Welcome to New London.
Nathaniel (to Poppy): I--I don't... Oh my god.
Poppy (to Nathaniel): Heh. It's something, isn't it? Come on, let's go back through. I think I've fried your brain enough for one day.
A minute later, at Poppy & Vincent's home, West Piedmont:
Nathaniel (to Poppy): This is just... This is fucking bullshit! All that fucking time I spent in doctor's offices and fucking psych wards... I was just a freak, not a crazy fucking freak! Can everyone in the damn family do that? What the... Are you OK?
Poppy (to Nathaniel): I just need to sit down, honey. Crossing over takes a lot out of me & it seemed a little different than normal. I've already done it twice today... I'm sorry. What were you saying?
Nathaniel (to Poppy): Nothing. I need to just... I need to clear my head. I'm going for a walk. Um... Thank you. For, you know... Showing me I'm not as crazy as I thought.
Poppy (to Nathaniel): You're welcome, honey. I understand this is a lot to take in. I'm just going to lie down for a second...
A moment later, in the kitchen:
Nathaniel (to Vincent): Hey. Aunt Poppy's passed out on the couch. I'm gonna... I don't know. I'm gonna go for a walk.
Vincent (to Nathaniel): Thanks, Nate. Take as much time as you need.
Persephone (to Vincent & Victor): Wow. He's certainly a charmer. Are you sure he's related to you?
Victor (to Persephone): No.
Vincent (to Victor & Persephone): Hush. He's related all right. I can't imagine growing up with my family was easy on him.
Persephone (to Vincent & Victor): Ooo, I'll go get the door. That's probably Yoyo for her sword lesson. This is going to be so moo! (to Yukiko) Hi Yoyo. Well, don't you look all spiffy. That seems a little formal for swordfighting, but whatever.
Vincent (to Victor): Go on! Go watch your girlfriend beat up your cousin. That gash she gave me on my side still hasn't healed correctly.
Yukiko (to Persephone): Haha. These are my school clothes. I didn't have time to change before I came over here.
Persephone (to Yukiko): Oh right. You can change in my room, if you'd like. I'll go get the practice room set up.
Victor (to Yukiko): Hi. Do you mind if I watch?
Yukiko (to Victor): Me change? Or did you mean the match? :-P I'm sorry, that just sort of came out. I didn't mean to embarrass you.
Victor (to Yukiko): Heh. It's alright. You've met my parents, right? :-P
Yukiko (to Victor): That's probably where I picked it up from. And yes, you can watch the match. I just need to throw on some different clothes. I'll be right out.
Victor (to Yukiko): Cool. I'll see you soon, then.
Persephone (to Victor): So, when Yoyo trounces me terribly, could you possibly give me a little pep talk afterward? You know, before you act all squishy faced with her.
Victor (to Persephone): I'm not going to be all squishy faced! I don't even know what that means. Don't worry. You'll do fine.
Persephone (to Victor): You know what the squishy face is. It's like when your parents are staring at each other, acting like there's no one else in the room. And, you feel really uncomfortable... Squishy face. It's a technical term.
Yukiko (to Persephone & Victor): Squishy face?
Persephone (to Yukiko & Victor): I am not explaining it again.
Victor (to Yukiko): Apparently it's some dread disease that locks you in a neverending staring contest. I'm guessing it's fatal.
Yukiko (to Victor): Oh, that sounds terrible.
Persephone (to Victor & Yukiko): Heehee. (to Yukiko) Are you ready?
Yukiko (to Persephone): I think so.
A short time later:
Victor (to Persephone): You did really well!
Persephone (to Victor): Thank you. Help me up, would you?
Yukiko (to Persephone): Are you okay?
Persephone (to Yukiko): It's only my pride. I think I'll heal.
Victor (to Persephone): Heh heh. If it makes you feel any better, you lasted longer than my dad.
Persephone (to Victor): Actually, that does help a bit. (to Yukiko & Victor) I'm going to go hop in the shower. You can commence with swooning, now. :-P
Yukiko (to Persephone): You're very funny.
Victor (to Yukiko & Persephone): Hilarious.
Yukiko (to Victor): She's taking it much better than I thought she would. I was half expecting her to be mad at me.
Victor (to Yukiko): Heh. She's probably already plotting how she can beat you next time. Thank you for sparring with her.
Yukiko (to Victor): It was a good match. She is very talented. Your mom is an excellent teacher. I'm quite lucky that she offered to teach me. If Seph spent a little more time practicing, I have a feeling that I'd have been the one on the floor. I wouldn't mind sparring with her again.
Victor (to Yukiko): I'm sure she'll be thrilled to hear that. She doesn't get a chance to practice as much as she'd like. Her mom and dad keep her pretty busy. They're still holding out hope that she'll be respectable one day.
Yukiko (to Victor): Oh? That doesn't really seem all that likely. Or do you think she will suddenly want to settle down?
Victor (to Yukiko): Seph?! I doubt it. I think she's gonna do what my mom did and be having adventures with a baby strapped to her back.
Yukiko (to Victor): Heehee. Strangely, I can see your mother doing that. That explains why you seem so comfortable around all of this craziness. I mean, my parents were doing god knows what & I had absolutely no idea... I think I like your parent's way better.
Victor (to Yukiko): Yeah. It just doesn't seem all that nuts to me. Do you, I mean, none of this stuff freaks you out, does it? Nate had a bit of a meltdown this morning when my mom came home all bloody.
Yukiko (to Victor): The first time I saw your Dad come home & he had clearly been in a fight, I have to admit I was a little freaked. But, he was pretty matter of fact about it, didn't make up a story to explain it away, just told me the truth. I still wish they wouldn't get hurt, but I know that's just a part of their lives. I'm not sure I'd be that relaxed if it was you, though. Are you worried that this stuff is going to scare me off?
Victor (to Yukiko): Yeah. A little bit. A lot, actually. I kind of forget what it looks like from the outside most times.
Yukiko (to Victor): I don't want to make promises, because you never know what tomorrow holds. But, as of this very moment, I think you're pretty much stuck with me... And, not just because your parents bought me from my brother.
Victor (to Yukiko): I'm perfectly fine with that.
Several hours later:
Nathaniel (to Marlena): Hey, Stretch. I didn't think I find you out wandering the streets.
Marlena (to Nathaniel): Oh hey. I needed to walk away from a painting before I fucked it up.
Nathaniel (to Marlena): You go to school here, huh?
Marlena (to Nathaniel): Yeah. Want a smoke?
Nathaniel (to Marlena): Jesus fucking Christ, YES. Thanks!
Marlena (to Nathaniel): Here you go. So, what's got you out wandering the streets?
Nathaniel (to Marlena): Fuck. I'm thinking about maybe going home. I don't know. You weren't fucking kidding about "odd" with this family.
Marlena (to Nathaniel): Really? Well, good luck with that. It seems kind fucked up, if you ask me.
Nathaniel (to Marlena): It's more than a little fucked up. Especially since I'll get shipped off to camp and then fuck knows where, but... Christ. I--I don't know if I can cope with all this.
Marlena (to Nathaniel): Hmmm, I thought you said you could handle crazy shit, tough guy?
Nathaniel (to Marlena): I can handle normal crazy. Give me a guy who hides ketchup packets in his socks, I can cope. This is above and beyond.
Marlena (to Nathaniel): So, you discovered that there's a whole other world out there and you're simply going to pack it in & go home? That's disappointing.
Nathaniel (to Marlena): Give me a fucking break! It's not like I wanna go back to butt fucking Mississippi, but, Christ...
Marlena (to Nathaniel): Hey, you don't have to explain to me. I grew up with the weirdos.
Nathaniel (to Marlena): Funny. You don't seem nuts.
Marlena (to Nathaniel): I bet you say that to all the girls... or maybe, you don't, it really makes no difference to me. I think you'd be an idiot to choose to go back to that horrorshow, but it's your life.
Nathaniel (to Marlena): Christ. Why don't you tell me what you really think? You're not one for softening the blow, are you? I don't know what to do, or even what to think! I woke up this morning to my aunt covered in blood, her kid's all business like it's no big deal, Uncle Vincent wanders in looking like a a half-sized, faggy Errol Flynn... And I find out all the times that I was either on meds that made me a zombie or locked up someplace where they hide the pointy objects was fucking *useless*, because, turns out, hey, I'm NOT fucking hallucinating... I'm just a freak. Sorry. It's not like there's a fucking pamphlet for how to cope with this shit.
Marlena (to Nathaniel): Yeah, poor you, that's gotta be rough finding out that you're not crazy and that there are actually people who know what you're dealing with. Makes sense that you'd want to go home.
Nathaniel (to Marlena): Yeah. Definitely not one for softening the blows. I don't want to go home. I wouldn't have left if I wasn't fucking desperate.
Marlena (to Nathaniel): Look, my Aunt & Uncle are weird and eccentric, Victor is a little tightly wound, but I love them and they are good people. If you'd stop feeling sorry for yourself for one fucking minute, you'd realize how lucky you are that they're willing to let stay with them. If you go home, what do you have to look forward to? Bible studies? That sounds fun.
Nathaniel (to Marlena): You'd be surprised how homoerotic the Bible can be. You're right, Stretch. Heh. I'm not really used to people calling me out on my shit. Most people are on eggshells around me.
Marlena (to Nathaniel): They're probably just afraid you'll get all your crazy all over them. So, you bolting or what?
Nathaniel (to Marlena): Or stab them in the neck with a fork. No. Not yet. Thanks for the cigarette.
Marlena (to Nathaniel): Good. Here, take the rest of the pack. I've got another one. I need to go get back to painting.
Nathaniel (to Marlena): Thanks. I'll pay you back when I get some money coming in.
Marlena (to Nathaniel): Don't worry about it. I'll see you around.
An hour later:
Vincent (to Nathaniel): Hey, kiddo. I was wondering when you were going to wander back in. We saved some dinner for you. It's in the microwave. Don't worry about it tonight, I know today was a bit hectic, but so you know, all the kids have a curfew.
Nathaniel (to Vincent): Oh. Uh, thanks. Is everyone else asleep?
Vincent (to Nathaniel): Poor Poppy is dead to the world, and Victor and Seph are in his room. I seriously doubt they're sleeping. Good night, Nate. Let us know if you need anything. Whew! You smell like an ashtray! We'll see you tomorrow morning.
Nathaniel (to Vincent): Hey, uh, Uncle Vincent? Before you go to bed, can I ask you something?
Vincent (to Nathaniel): Of course. What's on your mind?
Nathaniel (to Vincent): How did you do it? Leave home, I mean. I kinda figured you would take me in because--because of everything... But, you didn't know anyone. I didn't even have the guts to tell my folks that I was gay. They just figured it out.
Vincent (to Nathaniel): Heh. Firstly, I didn't have the guts to come out to my parents either. I got drunk, pissed off & said it during a fight. Secondly, I didn't think I had any other options. My dad said he was going to kill me, and my mom told me I was going to burn in hell. And because I was really young and really stupid, I thought anything would be better than what I was facing at home. I was very, VERY lucky that this turned out to be true.
Nathaniel (to Vincent): Oh. Yeah. Thanks. Night.
Vincent (to Nathaniel): Good night.
