Vincent (to Nathaniel): I was wondering when you were going to roll in. You were done with work about an hour and a half ago, I believe. You also got in *well* past your curfew last night, young man.
Nathaniel (to Vincent): Oh. Yeah. Sorry. I went for a walk through the park down by the river. I needed to clear my head. Oh. Um, yeah. I went to see Mars and Aiden, I didn't have any cigarettes left. Aiden was kind of... He was shitfaced. He, um, he called off the wedding with Seph yesterday, cause she wasn't in love with him. He was kinda heartbroken & messy. I'm sorry! I didn't mean to... I mean, I know it's... I...
Vincent (to Nathaniel): It's alright, hun. I don't need details. Believe me. We don't mind if you spend time with Mars OR with Aiden. What concerns us is that it's late at night, and we don't know where you are, or when you're coming home. If something happens, like Aiden has had a bad day and needs company--or a distraction--and you want to stay, we expect you will call us to let us know. I'll let last night slide, because it was a weird fucking day, but in the future, you WILL call.
Nathaniel (to Vincent): Yes, sir.
Vincent (to Nathaniel): Alright. Give me a hug and get lost.
A short time later:
Poppy: My goodness, did someone get the number of that bus?
Vincent (to Poppy): I believe it was "Yoyo." Take it easy, lover. You've got a couple of bruised ribs as far as I can tell. Nothing seems broken. But you're going to be feeling sore and murderous for a while.
Poppy (to Vincent): You are telling me, lover… That girl packs a wallop & fights dirty. And, here I thought I was going easy on her & it was clearly the other way around. I take it she & Victor have crossed over?
Vincent (to Poppy): They have. I called Mars and confirmed Yoyo got herself excused from her classes for a week. What do we do?
Poppy (to Vincent): Wait and keep our fingers crossed that they'll be okay. Which I absolutely hate but we have Zoe & Nate to think about... And… OW… Damn it! I haven't been this roughed up in a long time… I need a drink.
Vincent (to Poppy): I was afraid you were going to say that. Let me get you something large and very alcoholic to drink.
Poppy (to Vincent): You are a wonderful man… I shall spare you from my murderous rampage, honey.
A few hours later, in New London, Britannia:
Yukiko (to Victor): Victor, hurry up… I'm hoping my friend still lives here.
Victor (to Yukiko): I'm hurrying! Good gracious, you can hardly blame me for having trouble keeping pace. You're not human, are you? I knew no one could be THAT attractive and be entirely human. It's impossible.
Yukiko (to Victor): Very funny. I'm fairly certain I'm human... but, then again, maybe I'm an automaton programmed to think I'm human. Oh no! What will the neighbors say? :-P
Victor (to Yukiko): The neighbors will say, "What is wrong with those Potter boys, and why do they keep dating automatons?" Also, possibly, "They're a good looking lot. Why can't they date humans? They must have *dreadful* personalities." Our neighbors are jerks.
Yukiko (to Victor): Heehee… Okay, this is the place… If she's here. Don't get too close to the door. Aha! Found it! She's here.
Victor (to Yukiko): Is that...? Let me guess: poison tipped. Have I mentioned recently that you have odd friends?
Yukiko (to Victor): Heh. You haven't actually met any of my friends besides Mars.
Victor (to Yukiko): Isn't that enough?
Yukiko (to Victor): Heehee. We need to go around back… That's where she'll be.
A moment later:
Yukiko (to Fiona): Fi? We come in peace & I brought your favorite… Peanut Butter Fudge. Please stop pointing whatever it is you're pointing at me & my friend.
Fiona (to Yukiko): Yoyo? You wee sneaky thing! How are you Kobayashi? Who's this bit of fluff you've got with you?
Yukiko (to Fiona): Heh. This is my boyfriend, Victor Harrison. (to Victor) Victor, this is my friend & schoolmate, Fiona McGillivray.
Victor (to Fiona): It's nice to meet you, Miss McGillivray.
Fiona (to Victor): Ooo! Miss? I'm a miss now, am I? Think fast, Dandy Lad! ... Oh. Good reflexes! (to Yukiko) Who IS this boy, Yoyo? He looks familiar. Why does he look familiar? Also, what do you need, girl. You didn't come for chat.
Yukiko (to Fiona): Fi, please don't try & kill my boyfriend... He's Poppy Meriwether's son. You've probably seen him around. And, this is a business visit. I need to know everything you can give me on Carver.
Fiona (to Yukiko): Carver? Now why in the seven realms would you be needing information on Director Carver? (to Victor) You're the Magpie's son? Go on... Well, well, well... Not as fluffy as you look then, are you? Didn't your father seduce the ambassador to Borogravia AND half the Royal Circus at a Royal Ball a few years ago?
Yukiko (to Fiona): Never you mind... Here's my clearance. Can you get the information for me?
Victor (to Fiona): Do you want the real answer, or the interesting answer?
Fiona (to Victor): Always tell me the truth, darling. Unless the lie is VASTLY more interesting. (to Yukiko) Sweetie-darling, you know I can get you whatever you need. You just need to ask. BUT, since you have clearance, I SUPPOSE you won't owe me one. Bring your fluffy little lad along, and put a kettle on. Let me get you your files. (to Victor) DON'T GO TO THE HOUSE! Are you *daft*, lad? Good heavens! Mother is the Magpie, and the boy knows nothing... (to Yukiko & Victor) Follow me to the treehouse, children.
Yukiko (to Fiona): Heehee, still living in the treehouse? I thought you were going to build a bunker.
Fiona (to Yukiko): I AM building a bunker, dear heart. It's not done yet. I can't get the blast reinforcement quite right. Bleeding thing keeps blowing up when I detonate damn near ANYTHING...
Yukiko (to Fiona): That's terrible to hear, Fi. I know how much you were looking forward to that bunker. (to Victor) Tea?
Victor (to Yukiko): Yes, please.
A few minutes later:
Yukiko (to Victor): Here you are, just the way you like it. Are you alright? You didn't get hit with a dart, did you?
Victor (to Yukiko): No, no. I'm fine. Your friend is... interesting.
Yukiko (to Victor): Do you mean that sincerely or in a 'I think she's bonkers' way? She was my bunkmate at the barracks when I first arrived. I had a bit of trouble with some of the older kids. They didn't seem all that excited to have a foreigner bunk with them & a tiny girl, besides. She helped me deal with them.
Victor (to Yukiko): Heh. Have you *met* some of the people with whom my parents associate? She's going to have to try MUCH harder if she wants me to think she's nuts. She's not, by the way. She plays at it, but I seriously doubt it.
Yukiko (to Victor): Oh… She's going to be disappointed. She always liked the crazy kook in a treehouse bit.
Victor (to Yukiko): Hee hee. Why doesn't that surprise me?
Yukiko (to Victor): Most people tend to underestimate her because they think she's barmy. It's amazing how much that comes in handy... I'm beginning to wonder what's taking her so long, though... Victor, have you seen a cat around here?
Victor (to Yukiko): Heh. Yeah. My dad lets people think he's a vapid idiot, so I'm the wrong person to ask. A cat?
Yukiko (to Victor): Yes, a big fluffy black one with one white sock... Fi loves that mangy fleabag. I didn't see it when we came in.
Victor (to Yukiko): That one right there? What's his or her name?
Yukiko (to Victor): Oh good. I think she called it 'Stay', as in 'Stay where you are, you mangy bastard.' Honestly, that's just what she yelled at it most of the time. It follows her practically everywhere.
Victor (to Yukiko): Heh. Yeah. That's a cat that's gone through a portal. Hey, Stay. We don't mean any harm to your person. We're just visiting.
Yukiko (to Victor): Oh... How can you tell?
Victor (to Yukiko): We've had a couple of them. My aunt and uncle's cat Otto is... Heh. He's something else. And growing up, we had Max. He couldn't talk like Otto, but he understood everything you said, and then getting mutated didn't help anything. He was my best friend for a long time. Oh! Heh. Hey, Stay. Decided we're worth a look, eh?
Yukiko (to Victor): Oh, I didn't realize. Why don't you have a cat now?
Victor (to Yukiko): He passed away a couple of years ago.
Yukiko (to Victor): I'm sorry, Victor... Honestly, what is taking so long? Either Fi has gotten distracted or it's a gigantic packet of information.
Victor (to Yukiko): Heh. It's Carver. I'm betting there's A TON of shit. It's alright about Max. My parents had him before I was born.
Yukiko (to Victor): No thanks, I have a sneaking suspicion I'd lose that bet.
Victor (to Yukiko): Heh. There goes Stay. 10 pounds sterling says your friend Fi comes out with the file in like 3 minutes.
A couple minutes later:
Fiona (to Victor & Yukiko): Hello lovebirds. Sorry to keep you waiting so long. There was more than a bit of information here, you know. (to Yukiko) Do you need any help planning this, girlie? This is a grade A assignment, you know.
Yukiko (to Fiona): More than likely I will. That's why I wanted to see you first. I need to see if there's anything we can exploit to get me close to Carver. Do you have the schematics for the airship that he often operates out of?
Fiona (to Victor & Yukiko): Heh heh. I knew I liked you for a reason. Come with me, lovebirds. There's not enough privacy here.
Yukiko (to Fiona): Heh... Of course, you would like that about me.
Several hours later, at Marlena & Yukiko's apartment, West Piedmont:
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Um, hey. How are you feeling?
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Much better. I slept most of the day. You're here awfully late.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Sorry. I can head home if you want. I just wanted to give you a chance to sleep off that GIANT bottle of fucking rum, and looks like Yoyo and Victor crossed over to take out that Carver guy. Zoe was kinda a mess about it this afternoon.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Oh... How are you holding up? I don't want you to head home, by the by. I just didn't want you to get in trouble with your aunt & uncle. I'm sure they're not too crazy about me right now. Especially, if they heard about the wedding being called off.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): I'm alright. I'm starting to think this whole family is fucking INSANE, but...Yoyo beat the shit outta Aunt Poppy, and Victor as much as it might pain me to admit, he can fucking take care of himself, so I'm, um, I'm hoping they'll be alright. Um, and no one has said anything to me about spending time with you. Uncle Vincent gave me a hard time for coming in past curfew last night, but all he said is that they expect me to call if I'm gonna be late so they know where I am.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Oh... Well then, come here, you look like you could use a hug.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): What? I what? I'm alright... I just... I'm worried, I guess. It's fine. I mean, I'm sure it'll be fine...
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Miss Kob-- Yoyo & Victor will be okay. She's a smart girl & Victor is well he's his parent's son. And I didn't mean to imply that you weren't okay... I just thought you might need some comforting.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Yeah. I know. Sorry... I didn't mean to be a dick. I'm just not used to... Um. You know. Thanks. For worrying. About me, I mean. I know I'm being fucking stupid. What do I know about this shit? It'll be fine.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): I know. I'm not used to all this myself. I always tried to maintain my distance from people so that I wouldn't get attached and now, I'm trying to be supportive, to communicate and I'm probably going about it all wrong. I'm sorry.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Heh... You're... Ha ha ha! Honestly? You're probably doing it right! I'm just so fucking off myself, I wouldn't know healthy, supportive communication if it came and bit off my dick.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): ... Well, we wouldn't want that, now, would we?
Nathaniel (to Aiden): What? Oh. OH! Cause I said the bit off my... Oh. Heh. Uh, right...
Aiden (to Nathaniel): All joking aside, Nate. I'd like to ask you something. You're under no obligation to say yes or anything... But, would you be interested in going out on a proper date with me? It would have to be something fairly simple as I'm a bit poor at the moment due to my sudden upheaval. Or is that too much pressure? And, you don't want that sort of thing?
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Oh! Um, really? You wanna go on a date with me? I thought... I kinda assumed you didn't wanna date, cause you told my uncle we weren't doing anything "untoward," which I think has a totally definition to me, than it does to you. I mean... if you don't mind... I'd, um, I'd like to go on a date with you. And we can go stag. I've got a job.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Well, to be honest, I was lying a bit to your uncle... I didn't think it was a good idea to say that I would very much like to do terribly intimate things with your nephew & by the way, we have. I mean, he's a noted swordsman & pirate... And, if I'm going to be on this side for a time, I'd much rather not act like we're doing something tawdry & wrong... So, a date seemed like the proper thing to do. Stag would be fine... as soon as I can get my situation taken care of & things in order, I promise to take you somewhere special, my treat. I insist.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Oh. Heh. Yeah. Guess he is, isn't he? Doesn't matter, anyhow. I think they've all pretty much figured out we've been, um, "terribly intimate." And, um... You don't have to take me anywhere special. I just like spending time with you, you know.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Oh... Well, I like spending time with you, too. I didn't want you to feel like I was using you & wasn't willing to have a real relationship with you, like I was with Seph. I mean, despite that what I had with Seph turned out to be completely a lie... God, I still can't believe I was that stupid.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Yeah, well, we're all kinda idiots when it comes to shit like that. I spent... Jesus. I spent WAY too much time all twisted up over my ex... And, I didn't feel like you didn't want a relationship with me. I wouldn't be here if I did.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): ... You are really bloody amazing, you know that?
Nathaniel (to Aiden): I'm... I'm what? What the fuck are you talking about?
Aiden (to Nathaniel): I said I think you're really bloody amazing. I don't believe I stuttered. Was it the accent? Or the use of the word 'bloody' that's confusing you? At some point, I will get you to accept a compliment without being shocked.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Yeah, well... We all need dreams. I'm just kidding! Don't make a face. I'm just... Thanks. I don't know what the fuck about me you think is so "bloody" amazing... but, um, I'm glad you do. So... Yeah.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): I could name a few things but I wouldn't want to embarrass you. Besides, I could say the same thing about myself. There are quite a few folks that would question your choice of companion. I'm not known for being warm & cuddly. Quite the opposite, in fact.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Yeah, well, me either. Wasn't like I was anything but a dick to you when we first met... Fuck what other people think. As far as I can figure, other people's opinions about me have never done me much good. Heh... Well, most people, anyway. The trick is finding out whose opinion you should give a shit about, I guess.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Words to live by... So, are you here for the night or should we say our goodbyes, now?
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Um, if I'm staying, I gotta call and let my aunt and uncle know. I can head home if you want.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): I'm fairly certain that I would be disappointed if you went home, but it's totally up to you.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Um... I'm gonna... Lemme make a quick call.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): I'll be in Yoyo's room when you're done.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Um, yeah.
A minute later:
Nathaniel: Oh Jesus. Jesus... Jesus... Jesus... (to Vincent) Um. Hi, Uncle Vincent? This is Nate. I, uh, I...
Vincent (to Nathaniel): Let me guess, hun: Aiden.
Nathaniel (to Vincent): Oh. Um... Yeah. I, uh, I... Christ! I...
Vincent (to Nathaniel): Say no more. Thank you for calling. We'll see you tomorrow morning, Nate. Good night.
Nathaniel (to Vincent): Good night. Thank you.
A minute later:
Nathaniel: I... Holy shit. I just... Jesus. (to Aiden) Aiden? I spoke to my uncle. It's all fine. I... Oh. Um... Wow.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): What is it? Is everything okay?
Nathaniel (to Aiden): What? Oh. Yeah. Everything's fine. You just look... Um. Yeah. It's TOTALLY fine. Sorry. What was I saying?
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Heh... You're acting like you've never seen me in pajamas before.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): It wasn't the pajamas; it was watching you put them on... Oh! Oh shit... Uh, ignore that. Sorry.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Oh? I could take them off & put them back on another way, if that would be better... Sorry. I'm not very good at the whole trying to talk sexy thing... I have no idea what I'm doing.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Heh. Yeah. Me either. Clearly. How bout we forget all the sexy talk bullshit, and just get you outta your pajamas instead?
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Heh... As you wish.
