Poppy (to Hiiri): Good morning, honey... You look awful. Are you feeling okay?
Hiiri (to Poppy): It's nothing. I've just been having bad dreams... Maybe, I'm coming down with something.
Poppy (to Hiiri): Come here, sweetie. I'm just reading and waiting for a contact to respond to me.
Hiiri (to Poppy): Oh okay.
An hour or so later:
Victor (to Nathaniel): Here. Coffee. You look like you could use it.
Nathaniel (to Victor): Yeah. Thanks.
Poppy (to Victor & Nathaniel): Good morning, my handsome lads. Hiiri has curled up on the couch asleep. I'm a bit worried about her. Her color is a little peaky.
Victor (to Poppy): Is she OK? I know she and Nate didn't eat supper last night. Maybe she needs something to eat?
Poppy (to Victor): That's probably a good idea, honey. (to Nathaniel) Is she okay? Has she said anything to you? She mentioned having bad dreams. I know Mouse used to suffer with those, too.
Nathaniel (to Poppy): I, um, I don't know. I mean, she's been... She's not having a good time right now. I don't think. I'm not sure.
Victor (to Poppy): OK. (to Nathaniel) You should probably eat something too.
Nathaniel (to Victor): Yes, Dad.
Poppy (to Nathaniel): Honey, what aren't you telling me? We're not going to be mad or send either of you away. We only want to help her.
Nathaniel (to Poppy): Please don't. She--she didn't do anything! Not really! It was just a little freaky! You can't stick her in a cell!
Poppy (to Nathaniel): Calm down, Nate. No one is going to put her in a cell. Not, if we can help it. If you don't want to tell me, fine... Just be careful & if it gets too much for you to handle. Please, don't try and deal with it on your own. But, I won't bring it up anymore, ok?
Nathaniel (to Poppy): I... She... She wanted to tell Uncle Vincent yesterday, but everything was so fucked up I... She had some kind of episode... It scared her, and she was worried you would lock her up.
Poppy (to Nathaniel): Oh, honey... That poor girl. Look, I promise you that, if we can prevent that from happening, we will. She's part of this family, just as much as you or Victor. Was it the other Hiiri?
Nathaniel (to Poppy): Yeah. Is she... Is she going to die?
Poppy (to Nathaniel): I certainly hope not. I think or maybe I just hope, that because she wasn't considered worth finishing Maladori didn't do much more than implant the memories into her. I'd suggest we take her to see someone, but right now that may be a very bad idea in her present state. Don't worry, we'll figure something out. If you could just keep an eye on her & let me know if it gets worse, that would be a big help. She trusts you and right now that's honestly the best thing for her.
Nathaniel (to Poppy): Oh... Um, yeah. I can do that.
Poppy (to Nathaniel): Thank you, honey... I know it's hard to believe and to trust us, because we're adults, but we really do want to help.
Nathaniel (to Poppy): I know. I believe you.
Aiden (to Victor, Poppy & Nathaniel): Good morning. Is there any tea?
Victor (to Aiden): You've got suspiciously good timing, Aiden. Here you are.
Aiden (to Victor): It's a gift... Thank you.
Victor (to Aiden): Heh. I think it's more likely you could smell the tea. (to Poppy & Nathaniel) I'm going to see if Hiiri is hungry.
Aiden (to Victor): Well, yes, there was that.
Poppy (to Aiden): Honey, did you seriously sleep out on the balcony, last night? I was just joking.
Aiden (to Poppy): It was fine, Miss. I was stargazing for quite awhile. The constellations are a bit different from home.
Poppy (to Aiden): Well, I've received word from my family to expect your arrival at their inn. So, no more stargazing here, I'm afraid. (to Nathaniel & Aiden) If you'll excuse me, sweeties, I have some work to do.
Aiden (to Poppy): I understand.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): What? Look, I'm sorry I was a dick yesterday. Or are you hoping if you keep staring, I'll start to yammer out of nervousness?
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Oh, was I staring? I'm sorry. I was just thinking about the star cluster I saw last night, wondering what it's called here.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): The constellations have different names? Really? You're fucking with me.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Honestly, I have no idea. I haven't spent much time on this side of the portals. And, I rarely have time to just sit & look at stars. Usually, I find them quite uninteresting, but seeing them in a different sky made me stop and look.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): You find *stars* boring?... Ha ha HA! Oh! Sorry. I'm sorry. I'm not... I didn't mean... Heh heh. I don't think I've ever... I don't think I've ever heard anyone say that. I'm sorry. It's not really that funny.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): I'm so glad I amuse you.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): I said I was sorry, didn't I? I didn't mean to laugh, OK? I'm just a little freaked out and it caught me off guard.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): I understand. You're not very comfortable around me, are you? It's okay, I won't be offended if you are. I seem to have that effect on a lot of people.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Christ... No. No, I'm not, but it's not just you. I mean, you are kinda freaking unnerving, but I'm, um... I'm not really all that at ease with guys.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Oh... Well, then that would explain why you keep looking at the doorway, planning your escape. I'll go out to the living room & make my preparations for heading back to New London.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Don't worry about it. I know I'm the fucked up one. Finish your breakfast. I'm not hungry anyway.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): As you like.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Uh, yeah. Jesus. Are you trying to be off-putting, or do you really not know?
Aiden (to Nathaniel): I have no idea what you're referring to.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Oh. Heh. I guess that answers that question. You, uh, you can be kind of off-putting. And this is coming from a guy who has the social skills of a retarded porcupine.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Oh.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Um, don't worry about it. What the fuck do I know?
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Clearly, more than I do.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Heh. Maybe. If that's true, it's not saying much. Look, don't pay too much attention to anything I say. I'm full of shit.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Considering that you're the first person that's had the nerve to say anything to me about it. Most people are too polite.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Shockingly, no one has ever accused me of being too polite.
Hiiri (to Nathaniel & Aiden): Oh... Hello there. Is there anything to eat in here? I'm starving.
Nathaniel (to Hiiri): Yeah. Victor made food. Here. You can have mine. I haven't touched it.
Hiiri (to Nathaniel): Oh... Thank you.
Aiden (to Hiiri): How are you feeling, Miss Hiiri? Nate said you were a bit under the weather.
Hiiri (to Aiden): I'm feeling a little better... I had a bad migraine.
Aiden (to Hiiri): I'm glad to hear that. It looks like it's time for me to depart, too. Be well, Miss Hiiri. (to Nathaniel) Goodbye, Nate.
Hiiri (to Aiden): Thank you, Aiden. Be careful back in New London.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Bye. (to Hiiri) Yeah. Glad you're better. I'm gonna go get cleaned up. I think I've been wearing this t-shirt for three days. When you get a chance, um, I wanted to ask you something. Privately. Eat first, though.
Hiiri (to Nathaniel): Oh, that sounds a bit ominous... I'll find you after I'm done eating. Ok?
Nathaniel (to Hiiri): It's not ominous. I just didn't wanna say anything in front of Aiden. I'll see you in a bit.
A short time later:
Hiiri (to Victor): Hey, Victor. Have you seen my copy of 'The Tale of Genji'? Yoyo loaned it to me & I thought I set it in here.
Victor (to Hiiri): Oh! Yes. It's here. I'm sorry. I was flipping through it. Here you go. Are you feeling better? Mom was worried about you.
Hiiri (to Victor): No problem. I was just worried that I lost it... I'm feeling better. I bet you're excited to have Yoyo back here.
Victor (to Hiiri): Heh. I'm that obvious, am I?
Hiiri (to Victor): Heehee. Just a little.
Victor (to Hiiri): I AM super subtle. I get it from my father. Are you really alright? You won't be kicked out of the house if you say no.
Hiiri (to Victor): At this moment, I think I'm fine. Honest. Just tired. I feel like I stayed up for 48 hours straight & can't seem to catch up.
Victor (to Hiiri): Good. I'm glad you're feeling better. Do me a favor and check on Nate for me, will you? It's alright. I know he doesn't like me very much. I'm not insulted. I can still worry about him, though.
Hiiri (to Victor): It's not personal, Victor... He doesn't want to be so standoffish. He just can't help it, sometimes. It's not my place to say, but he really is trying to be better. It just takes time for him to trust people... I'll go check on him, now.
An hour or so later:
Hiiri (to Nathaniel): Hey Nate, you wanted to see me. What's up?
Nathaniel (to Hiiri): Huh? Oh, hey. Sorry. I fell asleep. Please don't be mad... I, um, I kind of told Aunt Poppy that you had an, um, episode...
Hiiri (to Nathaniel): I kinda figured that since everyone kept asking how I was feeling... It's okay, I'm not mad at you. How are you doing?
Nathaniel (to Hiiri): Oh. God! Thank you. I was kinda worried that... Never mind. It's not important.
Hiiri (to Nathaniel): Nate, what is it? Did I do something wrong? Do you want me to stop bugging you?
Nathaniel (to Hiiri): I, um, I know I said I wanted to ask you something, but I kinda... um... Never mind. It's not important. No. It's... It's fine. I just... It's stupid.
Hiiri (to Nathaniel): You're killing me here. If you don't ask me, I'm going to keep wondering what it was, so you might as well just ask me, you big 'mo.
Nathaniel (to Hiiri): Heh. God, this is so fucking stupid... It doesn't even matter if the answer is yes. I mean, who the fuck cares? I was gonna ask you if the only reason you were friends with me is because I reminded you of other people. Like I said, who the fuck cares?
Hiiri (to Nathaniel): Maybe... I don't know. I hadn't really given it much thought. Isn't that why people like other people sometimes? Because, they seem safe & familiar... Would it change anything between us, if I said yes or no? I mean sure, there are parts of you that reminds me of other people. But, there are parts that are completely you.
Nathaniel (to Hiiri): No. And I'd be a fucking idiot if it did. I told you it was stupid. I really should know that there's no one who could compete entirely with my charm.
Hiiri (to Nathaniel): Yes, clearly... Why the sudden concern?
Nathaniel (to Hiiri): I don't know. I feel way the fuck off base lately. Being in this house puts me so far outside of my comfort zone, I don't even know what the fuck to do with myself half the time. Not that my "comfort zone" is a good thing necessarily.
Hiiri (to Nathaniel): You just need to have something else to focus on. Like, a hobby or I don't know a project. You spend way too much time in your own head torturing yourself & trust me, I know all about that.
Nathaniel (to Hiiri): So, I should take up knitting.
Hiiri (to Nathaniel): Maybe... I mean, look at Yoyo. She's got her piano, photography & now sword fighting. Not to mention, a boyfriend. I bet she hardly has time to worry about the fact that her brother sold her off. Which I wasn't supposed to say... Ignore that.
Nathaniel (to Hiiri): No, I knew that. She told me. And, I'll bet she worries about it more than she lets on. Fuck it. We'll ALL take up knitting.
Hiiri (to Nathaniel): Oh really? She told you that she was sold to Vincent & Poppy? Here I thought I was in on a super secret.
Nathaniel (to Hiiri): Wha--WHAT?! No. No, she told me her brother tried to sell her off. She didn't say... Her brother sold her to... What?
Hiiri (to Nathaniel): Yeah, it was the only way they could get her away from her brother. He needed money & was going to use her as bargaining chip with some old fat pirate... Well, I don't know that he was fat, I just guessed. But, they bought her, instead. They told her brother, she was for their son. Which was probably the part I probably wasn't supposed to say. Damn. She's never going to tell me anything again.
Nathaniel (to Hiiri): Jesus... That is... That is *fucked UP*. Don't worry. I won't tell her OR Victor you said anything.
Hiiri (to Nathaniel): You promise?
Nathaniel (to Hiiri): I promise. Consider it part of my "Trying Not To Be a Dick" therapy.
Hiiri (to Nathaniel): Thank you, thank you.
Nathaniel (to Hiiri): Easy, easy! It's not a big deal, really. No need to break my ribs. You sleeping on the couch tonight?
Hiiri: Hmmm... I wonder, if Aiden made it safely to New London?
Nathaniel (to Hiiri): Aiden? Probably. He seems capable enough.
Hiiri (to Nathaniel): I-- I didn't realize I said that out loud.
Nathaniel (to Hiiri): Heh. Yeah. You did.
Hiiri (to Nathaniel): What? He was nice to me & helped us escape. Being concerned about him is completely normal... I think.
Nathaniel (to Hiiri): And you think he's cute. Heh heh. Calm down. It's completely normal.
Hiiri (to Nathaniel): I do think he's cute & he seems a bit odd, which works. But he's probably far too old for me
Nathaniel (to Hiiri): Why don't you ask Aunt Poppy or Victor how old he is? You don't know he's too old for you yet. He did ask about you.
Hiiri (to Nathaniel): Heehee, are you trying to pawn me off on some poor unsuspecting soul? Tired of me, already? And, here I thought you & I were meant to be together forever. :-p
Nathaniel (to Hiiri): Heh. Oh. Right. I forgot. Maybe we can fight over your hand in some overblown display of machismo.
Hiiri (to Nathaniel): Only, if you both have your shirts off. I mean, if you're going to do it, it should be worth watching. :- p I'm just kidding... Can I curl up in your bed again tonight?
Nathaniel (to Hiiri): It all becomes clear. You're just using me for my body heat. You can stay if you want. You sure you're getting enough sleep?
Hiiri (to Nathaniel): Yep, it's true & I'm certainly trying to get enough sleep. It'll happen, eventually. Night, Nate.
Nathaniel (to Hiiri): Fair enough. Night. See you tomorrow.
