Hiiri (to Vincent): Good morning, Vincent. Is there any coffee left?
Vincent (to Hiiri): You're in luck, hun. The rest of the horde isn't up and about yet. There's plenty. I'm glad you're up and about, Hiiri. I wanted to talk to you.
Hiiri (to Vincent): Oh?
Vincent (to Hiiri): Heh. No need to look panicked, hun. You're not in trouble. Poppy and I talked about you and your situation last night. We both know you don't have a lot of options, and I understand it's going to be odd and cramped, but if you wanted to stay with us, you're more than welcome. Hee hee. I'd love to say you're safer with us than you are alone, but I'm not sure that's always true. What do you think?
Hiiri (to Vincent): Oh, wow... I-- I wasn't really expecting that. I would really like to stay, but I told Nate that I would go with him when he was ready to leave. I don't like the idea of him being off on his own. He'll get himself into trouble without a Jiminy Cricket on his shoulder, you know?
Vincent (to Hiiri): Mmm. He's going to get himself into a lot of trouble if he's not careful. I think you both could. Poppy is going to try to convince Nate to stay a while longer as well. We'd hate to see something happen to either of you.
Hiiri (to Vincent): Thank you, thank you!! I promise I'll be good & you won't regret it.
Vincent (to Hiiri): Oof! Easy does it, sweetie. Has anyone told you that you have a hug like a vice grip?
Hiiri (to Vincent): Sorry. I haven't had a lot of experience with hugging.
Vincent (to Hiiri): Hee hee. Well, you're certainly enthusiastic, I'll give you that. Just don't squeeze so hard. I'm glad you're happy, hun. Welcome to the family. And see what you can do to convince Nate to stay. It seems like he has a hard time accepting kindness.
Hiiri (to Vincent): He does... though I think part of him would like to stay. He just needs some help figuring it out. I'll see what I can do.
Meanwhile:
Poppy (to Nathaniel): Hey there. I hope I'm not bothering you, honey. I just wanted to check on you & see if you needed anything.
Nathaniel (to Poppy): Huh? Oh. Hey. Um, no. I'm feeling a lot better today. I'm alright. I'm sorry about the bucket yesterday. I meant to rinse it, but I kinda passed out.
Poppy (to Nathaniel): It's alright, honey, I've dealt with worse. I'm glad you're feeling better. Are you up for eating something?
Nathaniel (to Poppy): Yeah. I think so.
Poppy (to Nathaniel): I'll see what I can whip up for you that won't be too rough on your system. Before I head into the kitchen, are you up for a little chat? It may require a little thought on your part, but it's nothing too terrible.
Nathaniel (to Poppy): Heh. Yeah. I think my brain isn't too addled. What's up?
Poppy (to Nathaniel): Well, Vincent and I were having a little talk, last night about all of you kids and we decided that we wanted to see if you would stay with us. You're under no obligation, but I wanted to let you know that it was an option and we'd like it if stayed. Of course, at some point, we'll probably head back to the other side of the portals and you would have the apartment to yourself, but I have a feeling you'd be okay with that. :-)
Nathaniel (to Poppy): Stay like, permanently? Oh. Uh, thanks. For the offer, and for everything, but I--I can't ask you to do that. Heh. I'm not your headache.
Poppy (to Nathaniel): Honey, I don't think of you as a headache and I know Vincent doesn't, either. And, you didn't ask us. We're asking you. I think we've both grown use to having all of you here and it's been nice. Would it make the decision easier if I told you that Vincent is making the same offer to Hiiri?
Nathaniel (to Poppy): He IS? Heh. I'll bet she's really happy about that. I'll... I'll think about it.
Poppy (to Nathaniel): Alright, honey. I'll go grab you some food.
Nathaniel (to Poppy): Thanks.
A few moments later:
Vincent (to Poppy): How did it go with Nate, lover?
Poppy (to Vincent): He's thinking about it. How did Hiiri take the news?
Vincent (to Poppy): Hee hee. I think she bruised my ribs when she hugged me. Apparently, she promised Nate she'd go with him when he left. She's worried that he'll get into trouble if he's left to his own devices. She's going to try to get him to stay.
Poppy (to Vincent): Well, in the end it's his decision. The idea of the two of them off on their own worries me, honey... I wouldn't wish that on anyone. I remember what it was like, never knowing what you'd discover when you woke up and no stability.
Vincent (to Poppy): All we can do is hope they stay, hun. Don't worry. It'll work out. Don't forget, we have my sister on our side as well. :-P
Poppy (to Vincent): Oh god, how do you think she's going to handle Hiiri staying, lover?
Vincent (to Poppy): It will be a bit odd and awkward, for sure, but I think it will be fine. Hee hee. She's got a bigger soft spot for lost souls than we do. I'm a case in point, aren't I? :-P
Poppy (to Vincent): I know, honey... And, I am so glad she does.
Vincent (to Poppy): You and me both, hun.
Nathaniel (to Hiiri): JESUS! Hiiri! You scared the shit out of me.
Hiiri (to Nathaniel): Sorry... I didn't want to wake you. I left my book in here somewhere.
Nathaniel (to Hiiri): It's alright. I was just dozing. I'm still a little tired. Is this your book here? ... You're grinning fit to burst. Uncle Vincent asked you to stay, didn't he?
Hiiri (to Nathaniel): That is it. Thanks... Yes, he did. I wasn't expecting it at all. Honestly, I thought he wanted to tell me it was time for me to leave. I know you kept telling me that their opinions of me had changed, but I wasn't sure... But, I'm not going to stay if you're still set on going away.
Nathaniel (to Hiiri): Hiiri. You don't have to come with me. I promise, I can take care of myself. Besides, I said I'd stay for a while, didn't I? You don't have to say goodbye to me just yet.
Hiiri (to Nathaniel): Good... You're a snarky pain in the ass and I would miss you if you left. Not to sound all hokey, but you're my first friend. Don't make that face. You are. You can say all that shit about getting to know you, but it's true. So, just deal with it. And, I still meant it that if you leave, I'm going with you.
Nathaniel (to Hiiri): Alright. Alright. I said I wasn't leaving just yet, didn't I? There's still plenty of time to change your mind about me. :-P
Hiiri (to Nathaniel): Yeah, yeah... You're soooo incredibly awful.
Nathaniel (to Hiiri): I try.
Poppy (to Nathaniel): Here, honey, I brought you some food. (to Hiiri) Hiiri, go grab your gear. We've got some shopping to do.
Nathaniel (to Poppy): Thank you.
Hiiri (to Poppy): Okay, I'll be ready in a minute.
Poppy (to Nathaniel): So, I take it Hiiri badgered you about staying?
Nathaniel (to Poppy): Heh. Yeah a little bit. I wouldn't say she badgered me so much. She just said she's basically determined to go with me if I leave. Um, I mean, when I leave.
Poppy (to Nathaniel): You're still determined to go? Well, it's your prerogative. You are still more than welcome to stay as long as you like. We certainly don't have any right to force you to stay. And, I completely understand your need to be the master of your own fate after having gone through what you did with your family. But, just so you know, you'll always have a place here, if and when you want it.
Nathaniel (to Poppy): I... Thanks, Aunt Poppy. And I won't let Hiiri go with me. She needs someplace to belong, you know?
Poppy (to Nathaniel): And, here I was thinking the same thing about you, honey... You get some rest. Tomorrow if you're feeling up to it, we're going to do some rearranging of rooms, so we can get Hiiri off the couch. I'd like my living room back. :-)
Nathaniel (to Poppy): Yeah. I think I'll be alright by then.
Poppy (to Victor & Yukiko): Sweeties, I'm taking Hiiri shopping. Do either of you want to tag along?
Victor (to Yukiko): Heh. You totes want to go, don't you?
Yukiko (to Victor & Poppy): Was I that obvious?
Victor (to Yukiko): Heh. Just a little bit. I'm going to excuse myself if you don't mind. (to Yukiko, Hiiri & Poppy) Have fun, ladies.
Yukiko (to Victor): I don't blame you at all. I'll see you later.
Poppy (to Yukiko & Hiiri): Alright, sweeties, it looks like it's just us. (to Victor) We'll bring you back something nice I'm sure.
Victor (to Poppy): Bye, Mom. (to Yukiko & Hiiri) Bye!
Hiiri (to Victor): Bye Victor.
A moment later:
Poppy (to Vincent): Lover, I'm taking the girls shopping with me. Please, feel free to find something for Victor to do & check up on Nate.
Vincent (to Poppy): Will do. Have fun! (to Nathaniel) Hey, kiddo. How are you feeling?
Nathaniel (to Vincent): I'm feeling better. Really, I'm fine. You and Aunt Poppy don't need to keep checking on me.
Vincent (to Nathaniel): Well, I'm glad for that. Trying to get drugs out of your system can be a bitch and a half. And of course we're going to check on you, kiddo. Everyone here wants to make sure you're alright. My doctor has threatened to hospitalize me if I don't keep my arm in a sling, so Victor's going to help me work on the car. It's a '69 Impala, if you're interested and, or bored.
Nathaniel (to Vincent): You have a classic car? A classic, MUSCLE car?
Vincent (to Nathaniel): Heh. According to my wife, she was my first love. Feel free to wander down if you want.
Nathaniel (to Vincent): Um, yeah. I might.
Several hours later:
Poppy (to Vincent): Hello honey, did you miss us?
Vincent (to Poppy): Always and forever, lover. Did you guys have fun?
Poppy (to Vincent): I believe so, lover... Yoyo caused quite a stir while we were looking for clothes for Hiiri. She handled it quite while. Victor should count his blessings that she's smitten with him or he would have a lot of competition. But, overall we had a lovely time.
Vincent (to Poppy): Hee hee. I'm sure all of you caused quite the sensation, hun. Nate and Victor are in the living room watching, uh, something inexplicable. Shall we tell them they have to go over to my sister's tomorrow? Or have you changed your mind? :-P
Poppy (to Vincent): Yes, honey, I love the idea of my sixteen year old son having sex with his girlfriend in my house constantly… I think I'd like to go back to being ignorant as to what they're doing, honestly.
Vincent (to Poppy): Heh. I can't say that I blame you, hun. I'll go tell the kids to say their goodbyes.
Poppy (to Vincent): They don't have to go tonight, honey... I'm going to make myself a drink.
Vincent (to Poppy): Heh. Care for some company?
Poppy (to Vincent): Of course, lover, always.
