Yukiko (to Victor): Victor? I brought us breakfast from downstairs... Before you head home, we need to talk about something.
Victor (to Yukiko): Oh. Yes. Of course. It must be serious if you're bringing me food first.
Yukiko (to Victor): Only mildly serious... It's just-- I don't know how to put this... I think it's incredibly romantic that you'll come find me wherever I might be & I love seeing you. But, while I'm onboard the Bleak Prince, we can't risk it. It could get us killed. We need to come up with something else. Is there a location where Bleak House airships dock that wouldn't arouse suspicion if the Falcon were there as well?
Victor (to Yukiko): I think my dad wants me to run near the Colonies, so Tortuga, Ocracoke Island in the Carolinas, there are a couple Spanish ports in that are usually pretty safe for British ships, mainly Havana and San Augustin… Heh. And, of course, I'm sure at some point I'll end up in the Caribbean running SOMETHING for Admiral Birdie. Do you think you'll be anywhere in those areas?
Yukiko (to Victor): Quite possibly. The Bleak Prince seems to run from here in Rangoon to several ports in Africa, the Carribbean & back again.
Victor (to Yukiko): Well, I should be able to find out if the Bleak Prince is making port in an area we'll be in without arousing too much suspicion. Most pirates want to avoid Bleak House ships whenever possible, and my dad did have a Black Spot hit on him once.
Yukiko (to Victor): So, I take it, you've given up the idea of going to school in West Piedmont, huh?
Victor (to Yukiko): Um, no, actually. I submitted an application to the school for next term a few days ago. But, I won't hear back from them for several weeks, at least, and I really do need to do SOMETHING to occupy myself between now and then. Hopefully, you... Even if you can't come back to the other side, I thought Mars could probably use the company. And, at least, if I'm running jobs for now, it will help my parents out. And, if I don't get in, I'll just keep on in the family business.
Yukiko (to Victor): Heh... Sounds like you've got a plan. I'm glad. I wish that I could go with you instead of this mission, but until we're no longer blacklisted, I sadly don't have much choice. If you need to find me, I'll be using the name Yukio Sato.
Victor (to Yukiko): I know. We'll get through it. Don't worry. In the meantime, Yukio Sato and I will just have to rendezvous secretly in the Caribbean from time to time.
Yukiko (to Victor): ... I'm so sorry for all of this, Victor. I know how much you were enjoying a normal regular life.
Victor (to Yukiko): It's alright. It's not your fault. If anything, I'm sorry your association with my family put you in danger. Heh. I suppose we're just not cut out to be all that normal, are we? Honestly, I expected it was only a matter of time before something odd happened. We're like magnets for it.
Yukiko (to Victor): Heh... When I'm done with this assignment, do you think you would be interested in a new member of your crew?
Victor (to Yukiko): Hee hee. I think I'll need a new crew member. With certainty.
Yukiko (to Victor): Heehee... Really? Without an interview or anything?
Victor (to Yukiko): Indeed. I like the cut of your jib, Ms Sato.
Several hours, at Poppy & Vincent's apartment, West Piedmont:
Aiden: Huh? Where am I? Oh right... Dear me, I don't think I moved all night.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Hey. Heh. You're finally up. There should still be some coffee left, and there's tea here someplace. Want something to eat?
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Coffee & something to eat would fine. Thank you. I apologize for sleeping so late.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): It's alright. I let you sleep in. I figured you needed the sleep. Hell, you LOOKED like you needed the sleep. What do you want? It looks like we've got... oatmeal, cold cereal, grits, eggs, and some of those frozen biscuits.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): I'm not sure what grits are, but I can make myself some fried eggs.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Heh. Grits are like a warm cereal that's, more or less, and excuse to eat a lot of cream, cheese and butter first damn thing in the morning. Here's your coffee. Sit down. I can make eggs. You want them scrambled, fried, or poached?
Aiden (to Nathaniel): ... Oh, poached would be preferred. Thank you.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Heh. Don't be too impressed. You've discovered one of the few things I can make. Here you go. I found some sausage links too. Heh. For a little guy, Uncle Vincent sure as shit eats like a southerner. Want any toast?
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Toast would be lovely... So, what's going on, Nate?
Nathaniel (to Aiden): What? What makes you say that? Nothing's going on.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Really? Then, why do you keep biting your lip, like that, for one? And, you seem a lot more subdued than usual. Is this because of my comment last night?
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Shit... I don't suppose there's any damn point in pretending everything is fine, huh? Goddamn fucking all you fucking spies! Can't let a guy fucking stew in peace... No. It's not cause of what you said last night. I know it was a joke. Really. It's, um, it's cause of something I said after you fell asleep. More like, something it made me realize. It's all good. really. Don't worry about it.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Nate, this has nothing to do with my being a spy. You'd have to be blind to not pick up on your emotional state, you practically broadcast it loud and clear. I don't want you to stew about anything, but if you don't want to talk about it. I won't pry... Though, I would like to ask you something when you're no longer in a stewing mood.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): I--I DO? Oh. I didn't realize. Heh. Guess I'm not used to anyone paying that close attention. I'm alright. Honest. I'm just... Heh heh heh. I'm just being me, you know? Sorry. That I got defensive. What did you wanna ask?
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Well, I was wondering, if when all of this blacklisted business is sorted, if you would be interested in moving in with me? I mean, it could go on for years or be over in a few months... It's probably a ridiculous notion, but I wanted to ask. I have a house in New London, but I could figure out something on this side, if you wanted to stay here. It would certainly be more easily accepted. But, I don't care about that. If you wanted to stay with me in New London, we'd figure it out. My apologies, I seem to be rambling on.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): You... You want me to live with you? I mean, won't that get you in trouble with--with, you know, your family and shit? I-- I can't believe you want me to live with you. I mean... Oh Christ! I'm sorry. I… I'm not upset! I'm just... FUCK. Jesus. I am emotionally unstable as balls some-fucking-time. Sorry...
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Well, this wasn't the reaction I was hoping for, at all... I'm sorry to have upset you. Clearly, I shouldn't have asked right now.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Don't be an idiot! I'm not upset. I'm, um, I'm fucking falling for you, dumbass. I'd like to move in with you. Not right now! I gotta get my fucking head screwed on right first, you know? You deserve me to be a little bit more fucking stable. But, in a few months, or years, or whenever... Um, I'd like that.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Oh, good... I'm glad. And, my family will just have to understand & respect who I am or I shall cut ties with them. As it was pointed out to me by your uncle, I deserve to be happy, too. And, what makes me happy is you.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): You make me happy too. Even if I do act like a surly dick sometimes...
Aiden (to Nathaniel): I think I can handle it... Would you like to do something out in the world today or simply stay here?
Nathaniel (to Aiden): I don't care. I fine with going out wandering or staying here with you. Oh. Shit. I do have one thing I gotta do today. Mars needs to borrow me for like 15 minutes, half an hour max. She needs to tweak something on her painting.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): We could head over that way & then, how about I treat us to pizza and a film?
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Your treat, huh? You expecting me to put out in return?
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Not at all... I told you that I would, last time. And, I know how much you hate being dressed up, I thought pizza would work… Oh wait. You were joking, weren't you?
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Ha ha ha! Sorry! Sorry. Yeah. I was. I shouldn't laugh, but--heh, holy shit--you looked so honestly affronted! Heh. Besides, you know you don't have to pay for me to put out, right? Ha ha ha! Man, don't look scared when I try to say something suggestive! That ain't good for my self-esteem. Heh.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): My apologies. I was honestly worried that I had offended you until I realized you were joking... I think you can probably make it up to me somehow.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Heh. Well, I'm not sure, but I'm sure as shit willing to try.
A couple hours later, at Marlena & Yukiko's apartment, West Piedmont:
Nathaniel (to Marlena): Hey. Um, I'm not bugging you, am I? I should really fucking learn to call you.
Marlena (to Nathaniel): Oh shit... Um, hi... Can you give me a second? I just need to fix something.
Nathaniel (to Marlena): Heh. Calm down, Stretch. You can tell me to fuck off, you know. I promise my feelings will survive.
River (to Marlena): Is that the pizza we ordered? ... I'm starving. (to Nathaniel) Oh hey, Nate.
Marlena (to Nathaniel): Well, fuck me... This is embarrassing.
Nathaniel (to Marlena & River): Heh. And with that, I'm fucking off. See you guys later. Call me when you wanna finish up your piece, OK?
Marlena (to Nathaniel): Yeah, thanks. I will.
Nathaniel (to Marlena): Later, Stretch!
River (to Marlena): You're making that face... Do you want me to leave?
Marlena (to River): Yes. No. Maybe... You're a real fucking jerk, you know? Why'd you have to come over here?
River (to Marlena): Mars, you asked me to, remember? You said you wanted to talk & then, I got here... and well, we didn't do a lot of talking.
Marlena (to River): ... Yeah well. Fuck you.
River (to Marlena): HAHAHA! Really? You've got a genius level IQ & that's your argument.
Marlena (to River): Shut up.
River (to Marlena): Heh. I think that's probably the pizza. You can think of a witty retort for when I come back. :-P
A few moments later:
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Well, that was fast. I barely got a page of my book started.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Yeah. Mars had company, so I thought it was best that I make myself scarce. Guess that means I'm all yours.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Remind me to thank Miss Mars sometime... and, judging by the look on your face her company was a bit of a surprise.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Oh. Heh. Yeah. Last I knew, she was kinda pissed at River. Guess she forgave him. I dunno. Something about him rubs me the wrong way. But, I'm kind of a paranoid bastard, so what do I know?
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Oh? Like, how you felt about me when we first met? Heh. Should I be concerned? ... I'm just kidding. Well, maybe you should talk to him a little bit more & see if your feeling is justified or just paranoia. It might turn out to be fine. Besides, Miss Mars is a very smart young lady.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): I know she is, and like I said, I know I'm paranoid. If I were all that worried, I'd have interrupted them. And no one is EVER gonna let me live down being kinda twitchy about you when we first met, are they? Clearly, I wasn't all THAT fucking scared of you. :-P
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Well, you did wait a few days before you ripped my clothes off. :-P
A few hours later, at Renfield's, West Piedmont:
River (to Nathaniel): Hey Nate, can I get you & your friend something? Emma made this tiramisu before she left that's pretty frickin' tasty.
Nathaniel (to River): Oh. Um, no. Thanks. Aiden, do you want anything?
Aiden (to Nathaniel): I wouldn't mind a cup of Earl Grey... Unless, we're in a hurry to get somewhere.
River (to Aiden): I can grab you an Earl Grey, if you'd like though Nate looks like he may not agree.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Oh! Um, if you wanna cup of tea, I'm fine. (to River) Nothing for me. Thanks.
Aiden (to River): Thank you.
River (to Aiden & Nathaniel): Sure, I'll be right back with your tea.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): So, is that the guy?
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Heh. Yeah. That'd be him. He's trying to figure who you are.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Oh. He reminds me of someone... But, I can't put my finger on it.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): You might know his counterpart.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): That very well could be it.
River (to Aiden): Here's your tea. I also brought you some lemon, you know just in case you like that sort of thing.
Aiden (to River): Thank you very much.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): So, what's you're impression? Do you think I'm being paranoid again?
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Honestly, I don't know... Invite him to sit with us & let's find out what kind of person he is.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): What? Seriously? Oh Jesus...
Aiden (to Nathaniel): I can't make a really good assessment right this second. But, if you're uncomfortable about it, we can just go after my tea.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Heh. Well, if you're REALLY curious, go right the fuck ahead. But, honestly, I'd rather spend the time with you rather than fucking River.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): ... Well, let's go, then.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Heh. Sounds good to me.
