Yukiko: There is something slightly creepy about that Tesla fellow. I can't quite put my finger on what it is.
Victor (to Yukiko): There you are. I was wondering where you'd wandered off to.here you are. I was wondering where you'd wandered off to.
Yukiko (to Victor): Oh sorry. I was getting a little creeped out by Mister Tesla, so I came out here to look around.
Victor (to Yukiko): Heh. Yeah. He can be more than a little disconcerting. Would you like some company?
Yukiko (to Victor): Sure.
Victor (to Yukiko): I would much rather spend time with you, anyway. Heh. You don't want to experiment on me, for one. ... Or DO you?
Yukiko (to Victor): Heh... Get your mind out of the gutter, Captain Fancypants. This surgical table looks far too cold, for one.
Victor (to Yukiko): Captain Fancypants? Who said my mind was in the gutter? Alright, maybe it was in the gutter just a bit.
Yukiko (to Victor): Heehee, I'm sorry it hasn't been easy getting any alone time, since your dad has been onboard. Tight quarters & all.
Victor (to Yukiko): Yeah. You can say that again. Come on. Let's see if we can find some privacy someplace that ISN'T filled with terrifying looking medical equipment. Heh. I used to have nightmares about this lab when I was a kid.
Yukiko (to Victor): Look at this stuff, I honestly don't blame you... Are you sure he's not an evil scientist?
Victor (to Yukiko): He's not evil, just not... Well, he gets wrapped up in the science and experiments sometimes, and doesn't really stop to think about the emotional toll on the people involved. He's too focused on the work. Heh. That's the part of him that REALLY reminds me of Uncle Eddie. And Mars, for that matter.
Yukiko (to Victor): That's why he was weirding me out! He looks like a slightly younger Mister Estevez... with a mustache.
Victor (to Yukiko): Heh. Yeah. He's my uncle's counterpart in Britannia.
Yukiko (to Victor): That now makes so much sense. I thought I was going crazy.
Victor (to Yukiko): Nope. You're still a ninja bred, government trained assassin being targeted by a terrorist group AND Britannia's Parliament. AND you're dating a reality hopping would-be pirate. So, you know, business as usual. No insanity here.
Yukiko (to Victor): Heehee... There's got to be some guest quarters around here somewhere.
Victor (to Yukiko): It's been a while since I was last here, but I think they're this way. Come on!
At Renfield's, West Piedmont:
Marlena: Blarg... This is a stupid fucking assignment. (to River) Hey you... Can I get some coffee?
River (to Marlena): Oh, sure… So, would you be interested in going to a movie with me, tonight?
Marlena (to River): ... Oh, I guess so... But, not as a date. Just as friends, okay?
River (to Marlena): Oh yeah, of course. That's what I meant, anyway. We could invite someone else to go with us, if you want.
Marlena (to River): I know just the right fucking person to ask. I'll see you tonight.
River (to Marlena): See ya!
An hour or so later, at Poppy & Vincent's apartment, West Piedmont:
Marlena (to Nathaniel): Hey Nate, how are you feeling today? Mom told me about your friend. I'm really fucking sorry.
Nathaniel (to Marlena): Hey. I'm... I feel like shit, but that's no fucking surprise. I'm alright.
Marlena (to Nathaniel): Yeah well, I don't fucking blame you... Am I intruding? I can come back later if I am.
Nathaniel (to Marlena): No. It's alright. I'm in a fucking snit. Sorry. Aiden's been staying with me and Zoe, and I just... I dunno. I guess I pissed him off somehow.
Marlena (to Nathaniel): Oh... Why do you say that? What happened?
Nathaniel (to Marlena): We were talking about our families and shit. I think I upset him. He got real quiet and said he was going for a walk. I probably shouldn't have asked him about his little brother. I just... I dunno.
Marlena (to Nathaniel): Hmmm... Wanna grab a smoke outside? … So, did something happen to his little brother?
Nathaniel (to Marlena): God, yeah. I'm just about out. His younger brother was killed when he was little. Like 10. He was hit by a cab during a robbery.
Marlena (to Nathaniel): Oh... that sucks. He's probably not pissed at you. Aiden strikes me as someone who doesn't talk about himself very much and sometimes sharing that kind of stuff just opens up old wounds if you've never really completely dealt with it... I know, my mom gets upset about her parents every now and then and they've been gone for years.
Nathaniel (to Marlena): Yeah... Until now, the only person I ever knew who died was my grandpa, and that was years ago… My mom asked me to come home cause of what happened to Tim.
Marlena (to Nathaniel): Really? What did you tell her? I mean, I don't see you fucking packing, so I assume you're staying here.
Nathaniel (to Marlena): Yeah. Even if I wanted to go back to Mississippi, which I don't, I wouldn't have been real inclined after she said I could come home, and we could just fucking "forget everything." I've heard that line before.
Marlena (to Nathaniel): Yeah, that doesn't sound like a real solid incentive... Hey, can I ask you a favor? Feel free to tell me to fuck off. But, River asked me to a movie tonight & I don't trust myself to go on my own. Would you & Aiden come with me? You can even bring Zoe if you want. I'd just feel like it wasn't so much date thing if there were other people with us. I know I'm being fucking stupid... but I'm not ready to start dating him again, not just yet.
Nathaniel (to Marlena): Wait. You WANT me to come to the movies and cock block you? Heh. Can't say I've ever been asked to do that before. You aren't being stupid. You can't trust people until you do. But, yeah. If Zoe and Aiden don't mind, I'll tag along and be your third fucking wheel. It'll be the first time I've been out of the apartment in... Shit. In a couple of days.
Marlena (to Nathaniel): Thank you... I just can't seem to fucking control myself around him even after everything that's happened between us. I mean he's been patient, thoughtful & keeps giving me space when I ask for it. I'm the fucking Grabby McGee. It's embarrassing.
Nathaniel (to Marlena): Heh. Don't look at me. I'm not judging; I'm sure as shit not any fucking better. Seems to run in the goddamn family.
Marlena (to Nathaniel): Heh... Maybe, we really are fucking related.Anyway, I should get home. Just give me a call later & I'll come pick you up.
Nathaniel (to Marlena): What? Just cause we're foul mouthed, foul tempered, perverted, surly, smoking douchebags? I dunno. Seems like a stretch to me. Heh. I'll talk to you later, Stretch.
Marlena (to Nathaniel): See ya, tough guy.
Several hours later, outside Poppy & Vincent's apartment, West Piedmont:
Marlena (to Nathaniel & Aiden): Thank you again for coming with me to the movies.
Aiden (to Marlena): You are very welcome, Miss Marlena. I haven't had a lot of opportunities to see films here.
Nathaniel (to Marlena): No problem. I mean, it was awkward as hell, but you know... Jesus! You are a violent motherfucker, you know that? :-P
Marlena (to Aiden): You know, Aiden, you can fucking call me Mars. I really don't mind. (to Nathaniel) It's a fucking family trait...
Nathaniel (to Marlena): Don't look at me. I don't go around hitting people. Heh. Ask Aiden.
Aiden (to Marlena, Nathaniel & River): He beats me constantly... It's the only thing that brings him joy. :-P
Marlena (to Aiden): Heh. Aiden, be careful I think that might have been a joke.
Nathaniel (to Marlena, River & Aiden): Ha ha ha! Oh... Sorry. Sorry... Heh.
Marlena (to Nathaniel & Aiden): ... And, on that note. I should head home. Thanks again. I'll see you guys later.
Nathaniel (to River & Marlena): Later, Stretch! See you at work, River.
River (to Aiden & Nathaniel): See you guys later. It was fun.
Nathaniel (to River): Yeah. I'll bet.
Aiden (to River): It was nice meeting you officially. (to Nathaniel) Is something wrong, Nate?
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Oh. Heh. Nothing is wrong. I was just giving Mars a hard time, because she invited us along to cock block her. She and River aren't quite dating, and she doesn't trust herself to be alone with him yet. I'm... Um, I'm sorry if I upset you earlier.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Well, I'm sorry I had to leave in the middle of our conversation. I wasn't mad at you or anything. It's just a touchy subject… My mother never really got over Theo's death. And, it's always been a bit of a sticky wicket for my older brother & I.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Oh... I'm sorry. I didn't know that. I won't mention it again if you don't want to.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): No, it's okay. I need to come to terms with it at some point.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Christ... I wish I knew what to say right now. But, um, if you WANT to talk about it--no pressure or anything--I'll listen. S'not like I'm gonna judge, you know?
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Just come here & kiss me... That always helps. ;-)
Nathaniel (to Aiden): You are totally fucking changing the subject, aren't you? I mean, don't get me wrong, I'm FINE with this method of subject changing, I just wanna know that's what you're doing.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Yes, that's exactly what I'm doing... and I just wanted to kiss you.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Well then shut the fuck up and get over here.
