Persephone: Grunt! I'm getting sent home to be under house arrest for the rest of my natural life... I will never be allowed to do anything ever again. I will die an old maid living alone in that inn with a bazillion cats... Grunt! I hate cats.
Zoe (to Persephone): So, you want some breakfast or would you rather just lie on the couch languishing?
Persephone (to Zoe): I don't know. Can't I do both?
Zoe (to Persephone): Only if you want to seem like a giant, selfish twit.
Persephone (to Zoe): ... You don't seem to like me very much, Zoe. It's terribly grunt of you. Why is that?
Zoe (to Persephone): Oh, I don't know. Maybe, it's because you flounce around like you're some sort of tragic figure from a terrible romance & that the world is out to torment you for no reason, when it's actually your own damn fault that you're always in trouble.
Persephone (to Zoe): Oh... You don't pull any punches.
Zoe (to Persephone): Not when I think you get a lot of fucking leeway from the parental types for no earthly reason that I can fathom. Someone should be straight with you.
Persephone (to Zoe): You think they're too easy on me? I'm getting sent home to slave away at the Inn until I'm old or dead, whichever comes first.
Zoe (to Persephone): Boo fucking hoo... You've got family that loves you & were willing to risk their necks to find you. Grow the fuck up, Seph… It's just a thought. (to Yukiko) Good morning, Yoyo. I'm making breakfast. You want some?
Yukiko (to Zoe): That sounds wonderful. (to Persephone) Hi, Seph. Has Zoe been giving you an earful?
Persephone (to Yukiko & Zoe): More like two. I think I'm going to skip breakfast & just go read a book with my tea. Thank you for the offer.
Zoe (to Persephone): You're welcome.
Yukiko (to Persephone): Alright. (to Zoe) Breakfast me, mini chef.
Zoe (to Yukiko): Heehee. Aye, aye.
An hour or so later, at Aiden's hotel room, West Piedmont:
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Nate? Are you awake? I got us some coffee & scones from the coffeehouse down the street. Did you know they've got an automaton working there? I mean, clearly no one realizes it, but it's quite interesting & unexpected.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Hmmm? Hey. Morning. Oh. Yeah. That's Oliver. You went to Renfield's? Heh. That's where I work. The boss lady knows he's, you know, not really human.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Oh, really? I didn't think people on this side knew about that sort of thing.That is interesting.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Heh. They don't. It's owned by Emma, Mars's mom. Who else you think would hire me? Uncle Vincent got me a job there. Heh. He knew he could bank on her soft spot for prodigal Jones boys.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Oh yes, because you're such a hardened criminal...
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Not hardened, but I've still got a rap sheet, don't I? Plus, I didn't have my social security card, birth certificate... I kinda didn't plan running away real well.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Heh... Well, it looks like it turned out alright.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Yeah... Dumb fucking luck... Wait. How did you know I had a record?
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Zoe told me a few days ago when she & I ended up on the balcony smoking. Don't worry, I don't care. Half the things spies do would be considered illegal, if we didn't have the government sanctioning us to do them.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Oh. Heh. Sorry. It's not really the high point of my life, you know? Did she, um, tell you about the hospital and drugs too?
Aiden (to Nathaniel): No, she just said you had some trouble in the past & that you were working through it. She didn't bring up any details, she said it wasn't her place to say. The only reason she mentioned your criminal activities was because we were discussing the missions that I was on that I could talk about. She was grilling me a bit.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Yeah. Zoe can be a little -- persistent. That's one way to put it. I'll, um, I'll tell you what she was talking about. If you wanna know, I mean. Maybe you don't wanna hear all that shit...
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Nate, I want to know all about you, but only if you want to tell me. You don't have to feel obligated... I'm sorry. I'm not very good at this.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): You're being too fucking hard on yourself. It's not like folks are born with an innate ability to know how to deal with shit. You have to fucking learn it. And most people, honestly? They're shit at it. Trust me. It's why people are easy to con. Vast majority of folks spend all their time pretending they know what's going on while in reality they have NO fucking clue.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Heh. Fair enough... You know, you're way too good to me.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): What? The fuck I am! I'm a foul mouthed, bad tempered asshole. You're a nice guy. A little, uh, turned off sometimes, but you try. It's more that a shitload of people can say, you know?
Aiden (to Nathaniel): It's okay, Nate. Really... There's clearly something you want to talk about. What is it?
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Shit. Yeah... You threw me a bit, there. Before I say the part I wanna say, here's the--I don't know--disclaimer. Zoe was right. I'm working through... just SO much shit. My dad's a preacher back home, and, well, you can guess how keen he was on having a queer son. He got someone in his church to "counsel" me. He ended up fucking me instead. He got caught. There was a trial, and it was a big damn controversy, family shame, small town rumors, the whole nine. Most people thought I'd initiated the whole thing. Anyway, my folks sent me to that boot camp I told you about. That got worse. The whole time, I mean, the WHOLE time this is all happening, I'm a skipper, right? I'm getting flashes of this other place. Everyone thought I was crazy. Shit. *I* thought I was crazy. I tried to kill myself, and ended up in a mental hospital. When I got out I dunno, I was just mad. I started fucking around with drugs and alcohol, and generally just getting myself into trouble. So, I'm, um, I'm messy. Really fucking messy...
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Oh... Thank you for telling me all of this, Nate. It doesn't really change how I feel about you, you know? I don't care what you did in the past. It's the past... I know you now & that person is who I want to spend time with.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Thanks... I just thought you should know before I, um... Do you wanna date? I mean, not just a date, and not the whole fuck around thing. Which is fine! But, like, you know see me as your boyfriend... I have no fucking idea what I'm doing. You don't have to answer that! Sorry. Or you can say no, I just thought you should know how fucked I am before I asked...
Aiden (to Nathaniel): I wasn't going to say no, Nate. I'd really like that & I know how hard it was for you to ask me... But, could we slow down a little bit? That was why I wanted to go on a date with you. We haven't really spent any time getting to know one another. And, you're working on things & I'm in a bit of an upheaval myself. It just seems a little soon to me. It doesn't mean I'm going away or I'm not interested... I hope that makes sense. I really care about you... and I'd just like to do this the right way.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Fuck me. Even after I just made a complete and total idiot out of myself? Christ... I'm sorry. I'm acting like an idiot. I just... I don't know. I got excited, and stopped thinking, I guess. Apparently, I'm not much of a planner for anything. I'm sorry. I, um, I should probably head home anyway.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Wait, Nate... Please, don't go. You're not an idiot. And, I'm flattered that you're excited about us & that you want to be my boyfriend... I'm just a little-- well, frankly I'm a little scared. Everything has just happened so fast... And, you're my first, well, anything really. I'm concerned that once the initial excitement wears off, you're not going to want to be with me, anymore. I'm hardly the easiest to deal with and hell, Seph was only with me because it got her away from the inn. I'm quite certain, she wouldn't have given me a second glance after our first date if I hadn't had something to offer her. You think you're being ridiculous because you're interested in me now... But, you don't even really know me.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): I'd like to know you better, a lot fucking better, if you'd let me. I know you're hiding out in your own head. I can tell. It ain't like you're subtle, you know. I'm OK with taking shit slow. Honest. I just... Heh. I guess I can be a little, uh... impulsive. And for the record, I'm not planning on going anyplace. It's not like I'm the trusting kind, you know? If you were as awful as all that, I wouldn't be here. Besides, it's not like I'm all rainbows and puppy farts to be around either. Shit. You're one of the few people I know who I haven't bullshitted or conned who's still wanted to be around me.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Heh. I was hooked the first time you kissed me.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): See? There's something about you I know: you've got really weird fucking taste in guys. And that was a terrible fucking kiss.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Yes, but you could have punched me and instead you kissed me... So, who's the weird one now? :-P
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Heh. Gimme a break. I had already fucking clocked Aunt Poppy in the face earlier in the day. I didn't wanna do it again.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Oh... So, that was the only reason? Hmmm… I don't think I've ever been so happy that someone got punched in the face before.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Heh. Yeah, well, maybe that wasn't the ONLY reason... I've never been so glad someone had weird taste.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Heh. So, would you like to go on a date with me, tonight? Nothing fancy, just dinner, maybe a walk in the park afterwards?
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Yeah. That... that would be good. I'd like that. Speaking of which, I do need to get going. I gotta get ready for work. I'll see you tonight.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Excellent! I'll see you tonight, then.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Yeah... Remember, you're letting me pay for fucking half, alright? Later.
Several hours later:
Oliver (to Nathaniel): Was that you singing back here, Nate?
Nathaniel (to Oliver): Oh. Shit. This isn't embarrassing. Um, yeah. That was me. Sorry. I didn't mean to be so loud.
Oliver (to Nathaniel): You don't need to apologize. You have a very pleasant tenor. You seem to be in an awfully good mood tonight.
Nathaniel (to Oliver): Oh. Um, yeah. I guess I am, I, uh... Jesus. Fuck it. I'm sorry. I didn't want to tell you because it's kinda fucking awkward... I've kinda got a date tonight. Sorry.
Oliver (to Nathaniel): Oh. Well, I won't pretend I'm not disappointed, but I'm glad you found someone with whom you're comfortable.
Nathaniel (to Oliver): Um, thanks, Oliver. For what it's worth, I'm sorry things went so shitty when we went out, too.
Oliver (to Nathaniel): Thank you. Don't worry. My feelings aren't exactly the same as yours. I told you I wasn't hurt. I'm not.
Nathaniel (to Oliver): Oh. Good. I'm glad you're not hurt, I mean. I, uh, I really have to finish up so I can go.
Oliver (to Nathaniel): Of course. Have fun!
Nathaniel (to Oliver): Yeah. Thanks.
An hour or so later, at Portable Feast, West Piedmont:
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Heh heh. I still think you're overreacting. Mushroom Swiss burgers are SUPPOSED to look like that. Honest and for true.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Really? It seems strange to me.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): What? You're *British*! Y'all eat organs, blood sausage and shit. If you REALLY wanna be horrified I'll, make you chitlins... Ha ha ha! You look genuinely terrified.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): ... I have never eaten a blood sausage. Not everyone in Britannia eats like that. Also, that's German.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Heh. Alright. Alright. I'm sorry I assumed you chewed on intestines. Remind me never to give you soul food.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Soul food? ... Do I even want to know what that entails?
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Yeah. So you know all those parts of the pig that you don't eat? It's basically that. Fried in fat. With bacon. And greens.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): And, people eat that?
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Heh. Well, we can't all eat watercress sandwiches and cucumbers you know? :-P
Mary (to Nathaniel): Nathaniel Zachariah Jones! Is that you? Where on earth have you been, child?
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Zachariah?
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Could be worse. I was almost an Ezekiel. Shit. I'll be right back. (to Mary) Hey, Aunt Mary.
Mary (to Nathaniel): Don't you, "hey, Aunt Mary" me, young man! You've been giving us fits. (to Aiden) And who are you?
Aiden (to Mary): I beg your pardon, madam. I'm a friend of your nephew's. We were in the middle of dinner.
Mary (to Aiden): I'll bet you are. (to Nathaniel) Oh, Nate! Sweetie, you don't have to do this. Come home with me. Right now.
Nathaniel (to Mary): What do you want? How did you find me?
Mary (to Nathaniel): I knew you were in the area. Your parents turned the GPS on in your phone. I've been checking all the police & hospitals...
Aiden (to Mary): Excuse me, madam. But, your appearance seems to be disturbing Nate. I'm going to have to ask you to leave. I don't believe you really have his best interest at heart... You practically ooze insincerity.
Mary (to Aiden): Oh, and I'm sure *you* do. (to Nathaniel) Nate, the police want to talk to you. That man you were talking to in New York, Charlie Walters, he was arrested for soliciting sex from a minor. They have all your chat logs.
Aiden (to Mary): Well, yes.
Nathaniel (to Mary): And that's why Mom and Dad are suddenly REAL fucking concerned where I am. Jesus fucking Christ... If they have the logs, they know what he offered me. I didn't take anything. If they really need me, tell them to come here.
Mary (to Nathaniel): Nate, your parents are *worried* about you. They're concerned you're off your meds again, and prostituting yourself...
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Nate, would you like me to leave?
Nathaniel (to Aiden): No. (to Mary) Aunt Mary, you need to leave. I'm on a date, and you're kinda ruining it. Tell Mom and Dad I'm fine, and that I'm not coming home. They have my number. If they're really all that worried, they could fucking call.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Fair enough. (to Mary) I think we're done here. Good day, madam. Nate, come on, we've got a walk to go on.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Sorry. Next time you pick the restaurant. No arguments from me.
A few minutes later:
Nathaniel (to Aiden): So... That was my aunt. Jesus. I'm really sorry about that. I thought she had fucked off after she came looking for me at my aunt and uncle's.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): It's okay... She seems like a lovely woman.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Heh. Really? Or are you doing that "too polite to say something nasty" thing? She has her moments I guess. Tonight was not one of them...
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Yes, I was being polite. But, you handled yourself quite well. Do you want to continue our walk in the park or head home?
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Yeah. I figured screaming at her would just give me more ammo. I *wanted* to, though. Jesus CHRIST I wanted to... Do you mind if we walk around a little bit? I don't want Mary fucking McKenzie to be the end of the night. I wasn't, you know. Prostituting myself. Before I came here.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): I don't mind walking. Give me your hand... I didn't think you were, you know? If you did, you would have told me.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Thanks. My family never believed me... Anyway. I'm sorry this date was so shitty.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): The date was fine, Nate. Come here... Just stand here & watch the water with me.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Oh... Heh. Well, I can't complain about the ending.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Heh, I love you-- I mean-- Oh, this isn't awkward at all... I'm sorry, that was completely inappropriate.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): You... You what? Heh. No you don't.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Well now, how on earth do I respond to that comment? ... I should go back to my hotel. Would you like me to walk with you home first?
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Wait. Hold up, a sec, OK? You were the one who pointed out we don't know each other real well just yet, and we're both kinda on the rebound & fucking lost right now, you know? Heh. You haven't even seen me get ugly yet and I can get REAL ugly. But, um, if I'm really damn lucky, you might end up loving me. And, I wouldn't mind you walking me home, if you don't mind. I'm sorry. If I upset you.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): It was a slip of the tongue... I would be honored to walk you home. And, you wouldn't be the only lucky one, by the way.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): It'd be sad, though. You know, the massive brain trauma you'd have to suffer first, but I think I'd be OK with it.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): You'd be okay with beating me about the head until I was stupid? Hmmm. Maybe, I should rethink this whole thing? :-p
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Heh. You really should.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): ... No, I don't think so. I'm not going to give you the satisfaction... Besides, call me selfish but I like kissing you, too much to let a threat of a possible concussion deter me...
A short time later:
Aiden (to Nathaniel): And, Here we are at your door. We must have walked too fast.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Heh. Yeah. It's those long fucking shanks of yours. I was practically running to keep up. We can always dawdle on the stoop until it's time for me to go inside.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Heh... Come here, you. I'll show you dawdling.
