Nathaniel (to Vincent): Oh! Morning, Uncle Vincent. I wasn't expecting to find you up and about so early.
Vincent (to Nathaniel): Dreadful, isn't it? You got in dangerously close to curfew last night. Did you have a good time on your date?
Nathaniel (to Vincent): ... Not real well. I ran into Mars afterwards, and we talked for a while. I'm gonna go grab a cigarette. See you in a bit.
A moment later:
Zoe (to Nathaniel): ... Oh. Good morning.
Nathaniel (to Zoe): Hey. What happened to your pipe?
Zoe (to Nathaniel): It was confiscated by my mother. I believe her exact words were 'Oh honey, no... just no.'
Nathaniel (to Zoe): Heh. That sounds like Aunt Poppy. I'm, uh, I'm really sorry. About what I said yesterday.
Zoe (to Nathaniel): Whatever. It's not like you knew. I shouldn't have stormed off.
Nathaniel (to Zoe): No, but I should have thought before I opened my fool mouth, alright? Christ. I felt awful. I just wanted to say sorry.
Zoe (to Nathaniel): It's okay. Thank you for the apology... How was your date last night?
Nathaniel (to Zoe): Great. I'm sure I dazzled him. ... It was fucking awful.
Zoe (to Nathaniel): Oh, I'm sorry to hear that, Nate... It'll be okay. You probably just weren't ready to go on a date.
Nathaniel (to Zoe): Probably not. Mars thinks I pissed you off on purpose to sabotage myself because I was nervous.
Zoe (to Nathaniel): Oh... Hmmm, honestly I wouldn't be at all surprised... When did you see Mars?
Nathaniel (to Zoe): Right after I fled the restaurant. I ran into her downtown. Jesus... I should probably call Oliver and apologize. We have to work together and all... Or maybe I should just pretend nothing happened.
Zoe (to Nathaniel): No, you should probably apologize. If you pretend nothing happened I think that would be worse. He said it was a low pressure, no expectations kind of thing. Maybe, you should have just tried something a little simpler, like, grabbing a coffee or going to a movie with a group.
Nathaniel (to Zoe): We just tried to grab a burger after work. It wasn't like it was a candlelit, 3 course meal. Jesus...
Zoe (to Nathaniel): Come here, you big dope... Don't worry, this is just a friend hug. After you being mean to me, yesterday. I think I'm over the whole crush thing... or, at least, pretty damn close.
Nathaniel (to Zoe): Heh. Yeah. I warned you I was a dick, didn't I?
Zoe (to Nathaniel): Yeah, you did.
Nathaniel (to Zoe): Yeah. I should come with a fucking warning label. I've got a shift this afternoon. I gotta get cleaned up and... call Oliver.
Zoe (to Nathaniel): Okay... I'll see you later.
Meanwhile, on campus, West Piedmont:
Marlena: Keep your damn shirt on! The door is there for a reason... (to Aiden) Can I help you?
Aiden (to Marlena): Pardon me, Miss, but is Miss Kobayashi at home?
Marlena (to Aiden): Nope, sorry. You just missed her. She's in class. Can I help you with something?
Aiden (to Marlena): Oh well, yes if you don't mind. I had quite the time trying to figure out where she had relocated & I now, need to get back... Could you please give this to her?
Marlena (to Aiden): Oh, yeah sure. Anything else?
Aiden (to Marlena): No, that should be fine. Thank you.
Marlena (to Aiden): Alright, will do. Bye.
An hour or so later, at the Longfellow Inn, New London, Britannia:
Persephone (to Aiden): Oh, there you are! You're late for my sword lesson.
Aiden (to Persephone): My apologies, Miss Longfellow, I had an errand to run.
Persephone (to Aiden): Well, I guess that's okay, then. I was worried I scared you off after our last match.
Aiden (to Persephone): Not at all. Shall we begin?
Persephone (to Aiden): Heehee, lead the way, Mister Wilkes.
Back at the Piedmont School of Arts & Science campus, West Piedmont:
Victor (to Marlena): Oh, hello Mars! You've moved in, I see.
Marlena (to Victor): Yep... What brings you around? Yoyo's still at class for another half an hour or so.
Victor (to Marlena): This. It's sort of a housewarming gift, er apartment-warming gift. I know, bread and honey. Odd. It's supposed to be lucky, and bring you, uh, food and sweetness, I guess? I'm not sure. This is terribly old-fashioned, isn't it?
Marlena (to Victor): Heh... It's not that odd. Come on inside. I was making some coffee... you can just set it by the package for Yoyo. I'm sure she'll be tickled that you brought a housewarming gift.
Victor (to Marlena): Thank you. Heh. Just when I think I'm doing a good job acclimating, I seem to do something strange. Oh. This package was from Aiden, wasn't it?
Marlena (to Victor): He dropped it off about an hour ago. Said something about it taking him awhile to find her & then needing to get back... If that was Aiden, I can definitely see why Seph likes him... totally her type.
Victor (to Marlena): Tall, thin, curly dark hair and a penchant for long, dark coats? That would be Aiden. And yes, he's totes Seph's type...
Marlena (to Victor): Yeah, that would be him... Ummm, not to sound paranoid, but should we be concerned about the package?
Victor (to Marlena): I am. After he chastised her the other day for making contact, I can't imagine what on earth has happened that would cause him to come here and leave a package with you. The only good thing is that it couldn't be anything confidential. Aiden would never be so sloppy.
Marlena (to Victor): Oh... Should we open it?
Victor (to Marlena): I would REALLY like to, but... No. I'm trying to prove I trust her, and can cope with her working for the Imperial Guard. I don't think rooting through her personal correspondences will help with that.
Marlena (to Victor): Yeah, you're probably right... Want some coffee or tea?
Victor (to Marlena): Yes, please. That would be excellent, thank you. I'm also putting your copy of the student paper over this bloody file. Heh. I may talk of trust, but there's no reason to tempt fate, is there?
Marlena (to Victor): Heh... What makes you think it's a file? Here, you go.
Victor (to Marlena): Thank you. You're right. I just assumed it's a file because it came from Aiden. It could bloody well be anything. Hee hee hee! Maybe he's been in love with Yoyo for months and it's a cache of secret love letters & tokens of his affection.
Marlena (to Victor): Heehee... that would be awkward.
Victor (to Marlena): Ha ha! I'm, heh, I'm sorry. I shouldn't laugh, but the idea of Aiden writing a single love letter, let alone a collection. I can't even fathom it. I still can't get over the fact he and Nate kissed! The mind boggles!
Marlena (to Victor): Really? He & Nate kissed, but Nate totally botched his date with Oliver. Weird.
Victor (to Marlena): Did he really? That's too bad. Despite all his claims to the contrary, I think he was rather looking forward to it. And, from what I gather about the kiss, it was a distraction technique to hurry along a couple of agents looking for Zoe.
Marlena (to Victor): Yeah well, Nate got into a fight with Zoe right before the date... Which I think totally distracted him while he was out with Oliver. I kind of feel bad for him.
Victor (to Marlena): I do too, honestly. Which he would absolutely hate.
Marlena (to Victor): Heh... Probably.
Yukiko (to Marlena & Victor): Oh hey, you two... what's up? Is something wrong? Why the serious faces?
Marlena (to Yukiko): No, nothing's wrong. Victor brought over a housewarming present and I think that guy, Aiden, dropped off this package for you.
Yukiko (to Marlena): Oh... (to Victor) Bread & honey? You shouldn't have! That was very sweet of you.
Victor (to Yukiko & Marlena): We were also discussing my sunny cousin and his palpable distaste for me.
Yukiko (to Victor): You shouldn't take it personally. I think he's just a bit jealous of you... You got the cool parents.
Marlena (to Victor & Yukiko): Heh... and on that note, I'm going to get myself to class. I'll be home late. I've got a studio class tonight.
Victor (to Marlena): Bye, Stretch! (to Yukiko) I try not to take Nate personally, but it gets tiring being the butt of all his jokes.
Yukiko (to Marlena): Okay, if I make anything to eat, I'll leave extra for you. (to Victor) You know, you could simply tell him that or is that not something guys do?
Marlena (to Yukiko): Thanks! (to Victor) See you, cousin of mine.
Victor (to Yukiko): You know, I'm not really sure. I assumed telling him not to make fun of me would only make it worse.
Yukiko (to Victor): I don't think he's a jerk to you on purpose. I think it's some sort of defense mechanism... Why do you keep staring at the package? Do you want me to open it right now?
Victor (to Yukiko): It's that obvious, is it? Mars and I were debating as to its contents. It's full of love poems and little snippets of Aiden's hair, isn't it?
Yukiko (to Victor): Heehee, very much doubtful. I don't think Aiden has ever written a poem in his life... He lacks the creativity.
Victor (to Yukiko): Terrible love poems then! "You're really quite pretty. And very, very witty."
Yukiko (to Victor): Heehee, are you jealous of Aiden?
Victor (to Yukiko): Aiden? Good heavens, no! I'm just not sure how much I trust him now. Actually, I know how much I trust him. It's very little. :-P
Yukiko (to Victor): Heehee... It's just holiday cards from my sisters & their families. And, a letter from the head of the Guard... Oh my...
Victor (to Yukiko): Is everything alright?
Yukiko (to Victor): It would appear that I've been ordered to report to a Miss Poppy Meriwether to receive "special" training for an indeterminate amount of time or until she deems my training complete... Wow, I had no idea that your mom had such clout.
