Nathaniel: Where the fuck... Oh. Jesus. Right. I must have fallen asleep on the couch.
Vincent (to Nathaniel): Good morning. I thought I heard your dulcet tones out here. Here. Coffee and breakfast. Stow the eye rolls, young man. You've had nothing but coffee, cigarettes, and the odd glass of orange juice for four days. You're eating.
Nathaniel (to Vincent): Oh. You noticed that.
Vincent (to Nathaniel): Yes. We noticed and worried about it. It's one of the disadvantages to living with a spy, hun. Things *rarely* go unnoticed.
Nathaniel (to Vincent): Yeah.
Vincent (to Nathaniel): I don't know exactly what happened to you, Nate, but I can make some pretty damn good guesses, & none of them are pleasant. I'm not asking you to share anything with which you're not comfortable. I just want you to know that you're safe here, and that no one is expecting you to be "OK" all the time or immediately. It's OK if you're a hot mess right now. Both Poppy and I would like you to be happy some of the time too, of course, but do what you can. Are you not eating because you've triggered an episode of something like anorexia or is it a control issue? I'm not judging, kiddo. I just want to know so we don't tweak you or make this harder than it has to be.
Nathaniel (to Vincent): No, it's not an eating disorder, uh, it's a thing... When I feel like my brain is spinning too much for me to handle, I... It's some part of me I can control. It makes me feel less fucking nuts... which sounds really crazy when I say it out loud.
Vincent (to Nathaniel): Heh. You're not crazy, Nate. You've been traumatized. There's a big difference. OK, I'll leave you alone. Eat as much of that as you can manage. I'm sorry for the early morning interrogation. We worry about you, kiddo.
Nathaniel (to Vincent): Oh! We are hugging now. Right. Um, thanks.
Zoe (to Nathaniel & Vincent): Good morning... Is there any coffee?
Vincent (to Zoe): There's a full pot in the kitchen. Let me grab you a cup. I think Nate wants me out of his personal space.
Zoe(to Vincent): Thank you. (to Nathaniel) You're looking a bit better. Did you finally eat something?
Nathaniel (to Zoe): Yeah. Aunt Poppy made me eat half awake last night, and Uncle Vincent practically shoved some biscuit and gravy in my face.
Zoe (to Nathaniel): Good... Don't mind me. I'm just going to curl up in this chair. I feel like crap.
Nathaniel (to Zoe): Are you OK?
Zoe (to Nathaniel): Bad dream, again. I'll be fine... I feel like it's Hiiri's revenge for me being happy.
Nathaniel (to Zoe): Jesus. That is... that's fucked up. Sorry.
Vincent (to Zoe): Here you are. You looked peaked, sweetie. You and Victor overdid it yesterday, I suspect. Take it easy today.
Zoe (to Vincent): Thank you... It's not that. I mean, it did tire me out a little but I've done far more than that in one day before...
Vincent (to Zoe): Good heavens! I can't even imagine keeping up with you two. Are you feeling ill? You don't feel feverish.
Zoe (to Vincent): No, I just had a bad dream. I'll be fine.
Vincent (to Zoe & Nathaniel): There's more food in the kitchen, if you want it. I will warn you both, however, Poppy has started baking.
Zoe (to Vincent): Why do we need to be warned about baking? Is it dangerous?
Vincent (to Zoe & Nathaniel): Heehee. It can be when Poppy's involved. She has very strong opinions about being interrupted. Well, more accurately, about me stealing tastes out of the kitchen.
Zoe (to Vincent): Heehee, we'll be careful, then.
Vincent (to Zoe & Nathaniel): How I've kept my figure all these years is anyone's guess. (to Zoe) If it was just a bad dream, I won't harass you, then. I think I've filled my nosy quota today with your poor cousin. I'll see you kids later. I must go shopping. If I don't return know I loved you all. Tell Victor he can have my hair care collection. I'm afraid you lot will have to fight over the car.
Zoe (to Vincent): Heehee, you'll be back. Besides, I don't know how to drive.
Vincent (to Zoe): WHAT? Oh my goodness. We are fixing that when I get back. (to Nathaniel) You can drive right? Can you drive stick?
Nathaniel (to Vincent): Uh, no to both, actually. They didn't trust me to be out around normal people, let alone out and behind the wheel of a car.
Vincent (to Zoe & Nathaniel): My poor heart. It's too fragile for such tragedy. You are BOTH learning to drive after the holidays.
Zoe (to Vincent): Oh, that's not necessary. It's never really come up before.
Nathaniel (to Vincent): I don't know if that's...
Vincent (to Zoe & Nathaniel): No. No if's or but's. You don't have to drive, but you should know how. You don't want to end up beholden to some jerk, because you can't drive. The same goes for flying an airship. Good heavens... The IDEA.
Zoe (to Vincent): Well, that I know how to do... I think.
Vincent (to Zoe & Nathaniel): You'll know how to do both soon. So will you, gloomy gus. Alright. I'm off like a prom dress. Be mostly good!
Zoe (to Vincent): We will.
Nathaniel (to Zoe): Jesus. Uncle Vincent is a weirdo. Nice, but weird.
Zoe (to Nathaniel): Heehee, is it normal to be terrified at the thought of driving a car?
Nathaniel (to Zoe): I have no idea. I have no experience with this kinda normal teenage bullshit. I don't know about you, but I'm scared shitless.
Zoe (to Nathaniel): Heh... We're so lame. We're getting the chance to be normal & we're both scared about it. What's that say about us? Victor always seems happy to do normal stuff. I think he didn't get that much opportunities for it, either.
Nathaniel (to Zoe): Well, it says I'm a broken motherfucker. I don't know what it says about you... Hey! Don't throw shit at me. I was kidding!
Zoe (to Nathaniel): You're only slightly broken, you ass.
Nathaniel (to Zoe): Maybe. But that's not what everyone else thought. It's not like my folks ever set up a college fund for me or anything. Heh. I didn't even graduate high school yet. Guess we all get a chance to do "normal" shit if we want. Within reason. Your new parents are still fucking weirdos.
Zoe (to Nathaniel): Yeah well, I love them & all their weirdness. And, I know you like 'em, too. Now, help me get this box down from the closet. I have to wrap these presents for tomorrow... Oh my god, this is going to be my first real Christmas.
Nathaniel (to Zoe): Alright, shortie. Out of the way. Heh. This is your first Christmas, isn't it? I wonder what... Never mind. It doesn't matter.
Zoe (to Nathaniel): You wonder what? Were you thinking about your family, Nate? You know, if you're curious... We could totally go see. I mean, if you want. I can take you.
Nathaniel (to Zoe): Yeah. I was. It's alright. Even if I were home, I wouldn't be spending Christmas with the family. I'd get a call at whatever camp or hospital or jail or whatever I was in, so they can say they spoke to me... And they'd continue on with whatever they proper family bullshit they were doing. I don't need to see it with my own eyes.
Zoe (to Nathaniel): So, what you're saying, Nate, is that this is sort of like your first Christmas, too... Here, put on this hat... Don't make a face. Just do it.
Victor (to Nathaniel & Zoe): Quick! Shove this in your faces! I stole some of the shortie from the kit-- What are you wearing, Nate?
Nathaniel (to Zoe & Victor): It's, what I can only imagine, is an elf hat. With ears.
Zoe (to Victor): These cookies are amazing... Are there more?
Victor (to Nathaniel): That may be the most terrifying thing I have EVER seen. (to Zoe) There are, but you may have to risk life and limb to get some before Mom releases them to us masses.
A short time later:
Victor (to Zoe & Nathaniel): Hey! Get your arses out here! We're about to finish the tree. It's the best bit.
Zoe (to Nathaniel & Victor): I'm coming. I was finishing something.
Victor (to Zoe & Nathaniel): What are you two plotting in here?
Zoe (to Victor): Nothing. We were wrapping a present. It was a two person job.
Nathaniel (to Zoe): Alright, alright. If you're done then, come on. You guys are new, so you definitely don't wanna miss this.
Zoe (to Victor): Okay, lead the way, big brother. :-p
Nathaniel (to Zoe): Oh. Wow. Holy shit. I AM your older brother now, aren't I? Heh heh. God. THERE'S a terrifying thought. Well, come on, little sis and cousin of mine!
A little while later:
Poppy: I swear, if one more person sneaks into the kitchen & steals cookies, I'm going to slap them silly.
Vincent (to Poppy): Oh my goodness, lover, WHAT IS THAT!?!
Poppy (to Vincent): Do you think I'm an idiot, honey?
Vincent (to Poppy): Hee hee. You know I don't, lover, but the promise of those cookies has addled my mind. How are you getting on?
Poppy (to Vincent): Just fine. Your son seems to share the same problem. If you all just waited a few hours, you'd have plenty of shortie.
Vincent (to Poppy): The kids have the tree all decorated. Hee hee. Not waiting is part of the fun, hun. We're ready for the tree topper.
Poppy (to Vincent): Well, then let's not keep the children waiting, lover.
