Nathaniel (to Zoe): Zoe? You alright? You feeling up to going to school?
Zoe (to Nathaniel): Yeah, I'm moving... Ugh... Very slowly. Did dad or Victor come home last night?
Nathaniel (to Zoe): Take it easy! You don't have to go if you don't feel up to it, you know. And, um, no. No sign of your dad or brother yet.
Zoe (to Nathaniel): Damn! I was hoping that would be an explanation for the roughness of the portal last night.
Nathaniel (to Zoe): Yeah... me too.
Zoe (to Nathaniel): Can you please call my school & let them know I'm sick? I'll text Colin & ask him to pick up my homework... I'm gonna curl up on the couch & continue to feel like shit.
Nathaniel (to Zoe): Yeah. Course. Want some tea or something?
Zoe (to Nathaniel): Tea & toast, please? (to Colin) Hey Colin, I'm sorry I didn't answer your call yesterday. I'm feeling a bit under the weather. If you could pick up my homework, I'd love you forever. Thanks!
Colin (to Zoe): Wait. You'll love me FOR bringing you homework? Shouldn't it be that you'd love me forever for losing your homework?
Zoe (to Colin): Well, I thought if you collected my homework than you'd have to drop it off for me. So, I'd get the chance to see you.
Colin (to Zoe): I'm glad you're not avoiding me. Oh! But, I'm sorry you're sick, too! Shit... How about I shut up now? I'll bring your work by after school, if that's OK.
Zoe (to Colin): That works. Thank you. I should be feeling better by then. I just got exposed to something nasty yesterday.
Colin (to Zoe): No problem! I'll see you then. Drink lots of liquids. Tea and OJ. Feel better!
Zoe (to Colin): Thanks, I will.
A few minutes later:
Nathaniel (to Zoe): Here you go. Tea with lemon and honey and dry toast. There's grits too if you want something bland and more substantial. And here. Here's a shit ton of old movies we can watch if you wanna.
Zoe (to Nathaniel): Thank you... You'll make someone a very good mom, someday. :-P
Nathaniel (to Zoe): Blow me! You were the one who kept bringing me water and reading to me in bed when I was detoxing. I was just returning the fucking favor. Behave or I'll fucking stick daytime TV on, or some shit.
Zoe (to Nathaniel): ... How about you take your boy to that fucking cabin & get the hell out of my hair? I'll call Mars to come & check on me. I appreciate all of this, but I know you've got romantic time on your mind.
Nathaniel (to Zoe): How the fuck did you know about that?
Zoe (to Nathaniel): Because Aiden had asked my help getting it setup... See, I can totally keep a secret. :-P
Nathaniel (to Zoe): Heh. Guess you can. Are you sure you'll be OK? I feel shitty leaving you alone when you're not doing well.
Zoe (to Nathaniel): I promise, I'll be okay. I've been on my own before. And, I should be feeling better soon. I'm just worn out.
Nathaniel (to Zoe): You're trying to get me the fuck out of town without freaking me out, aren't you?
Zoe (to Nathaniel): ... Heh. Maybe, a little.
Nathaniel (to Zoe): Yeah. I thought so. I'm not an idiot. I know a fucking bear didn't maul Tim, and that all this shit isn't a coincidence. Will you stay the fuck outta trouble if I go? You'll stay with Mars or Colin or someplace and NOT be a nosy motherfucker?
Zoe (to Nathaniel): I promise. Besides, look at me... I'm pitiful right now.
Nathaniel (to Zoe): Yeah. Funny how that doesn't make me trust you any more, isn't it?
Zoe (to Nathaniel): Come on, Nate. You're going to be gone for two days. I won't do anything without backup, okay? And, honestly there's no one here that would make adequate backup. All I've got is actors, artists, and... well, actually that's all I've got.
Nathaniel (to Zoe): Alright, alright. You can't blame me for worrying, OK? It's been a shitty fucking week. I'll cool my tits.
Zoe (to Nathaniel): I know. And, please, don't take this the wrong way. But, I love you, Nate. You're my best friend & I appreciate everything you've done for me... God, I'm so gushy. It must be a side effect of this damn thing.
Nathaniel (to Zoe): Ewww. You ARE gushy. Stay back. You'll get it all over me! I'm just teasing. Jesus. You made a face like I kicked a puppy. I didn't do anything for you that you didn't do for me, alright? There's no need for the fucking waterworks.
Zoe (to Nathaniel): See, that's why I love you. So, modest!
Nathaniel (to Zoe): Yeah. I'm just all shades of awesome all over.
Zoe (to Nathaniel): Way to bring the room down, grumpy.
Nathaniel (to Zoe): Sorry. I'm having a hard time not feeling guilty, or like an asshole, or somehow dangerous. Or all fucking three. A dangerous, guilty, fucking asshole.
Zoe (to Nathaniel): Fine... Stay here with me & disappoint your sexy, sexy boyfriend or go off with him for two days & relax. You need a break from all this craziness.
Nathaniel (to Zoe): No, you're right. Maybe I'll finally stop having weird, fucked up nightmares, and Aiden will actually get to sleep through the fucking night without me thrashing around like a dick.
Zoe (to Nathaniel): Yeah. Trust me, you'll feel a thousand times better.
Nathaniel (to Zoe): Alright! Fine! I'll go, OK? You can retire the sad, concerned eyes.
Zoe (to Nathaniel): Good.
Nathaniel (to Zoe): Heh. You just love getting your way, don't you? I'm gonna go clean up the kitchen. Want me to pop a movie in for you?
Zoe (to Nathaniel): Heh... It's not my way, but yes I do like that. A movie would be great.
Nathaniel (to Zoe): Sell it somewhere else, sister. Here. Shout if you need anything.
Zoe (to Nathaniel): I will. Thanks.
Several hours later, in an alleyway, West Piedmont:
Ariadne: Wha... What happened!?! Did I get roofied again? ... This is-- Wow. I'm totes freakin' out! Quick, someone get me a coffee! Somebody? Anyone? ... Damn. I guess I have to take care of the caffeination myself, as usual.
A short time later, at Renfield's, West Piedmont:
Ariadne (to Oliver): Hi there, cutie! I'm here for some sugar preferably in coffee. Think you can help me out?
Oliver (to Ariadne): Heh. Well, coffee I can help with. What would you like?
Ariadne (to Oliver): I need a double vanilla latte with a splash of caramel syrup on top. And, could you tell me where I am exactly?
Oliver (to Ariadne): Coming right up. This, uh, this is Renfield's. Or did you mean more generally?
Ariadne (to Oliver): More generally. I fell asleep on the bus & the driver was really rude when I asked.
Oliver (to Ariadne): Oh dear. That's terrible. You're in downtown West Piedmont. Here's your coffee. Do you need someplace to stay? I can get you a phonebook.
Ariadne (to Oliver): Thank you. And, that would be absolutely awesome, cutie... What are you doing after work? Care to show me around?
Oliver (to Ariadne): Oh. Heh. Well, that's certainly tempting, but I'm afraid I don't get off until quite late.
Ariadne (to Oliver): Well, that's really too bad. You look like you'd be a lot of fun. Thanks for the use of the phonebook & for the coffee.
Oliver (to Ariadne): I do? That's strange... You're welcome. Let me know if you would like a refill.
Ariadne: O M G, that boy makes my pants tight.
An hour or so later:
Vincent (to Oliver): Oliver! I would be eternally grateful if you would give me something huge and intensely sweet. Nate isn't working, is he?
Oliver (to Vincent): I know just the thing, Captain. Nate isn't here. Emma gave him some time off, considering everything that happened.
Ariadne (to Oliver & Vincent): Sorry to interrupt but, can I get refill? I would lurve you forever.
Oliver (to Ariadne): Oh yes! Of course! (to Vincent) Here you are, Captain.
Vincent (to Oliver): Oh good heavens! This is delicious! You are a gentleman and a scholar, Oliver!
Ariadne (to Vincent): Hi there, short, dark & sexy... are you really a captain?
Vincent (to Ariadne): Heh. It's a nickname as well as a title, hun. And I am old enough to be your father.
Oliver (to Ariadne): Here you are, miss.
Ariadne (to Vincent): Heh... Not even. I'm older than I look. And, besides I have two words for you, "daddy issues". (to Oliver) Thank you, cutie.
Vincent (to Ariadne): Ha ha ha! Trust me. I'm older than I look too. You're direct, I'll give you that. Not that it matters. I have two words for you now, hun: "married man."
Ariadne (to Vincent): Well, that is really a shame. But, I'm used to dealing with disappointment. Sorry to bother you.
Vincent (to Ariadne): Heh. You're not a bother. You're adorable, and if it were 20 years ago, I'm sure I'd be following you around like a puppy.
Ariadne (to Vincent): I bet you would have made the cutest puppy... Here, you dropped this. You should really be more careful with your wallet.
Vincent (to Ariadne): Thank you. You really ought to be careful who you pickpocket around here, sweetie. Also? That's not where I keep my money. ;-) Also, also? You shouldn't bring knives, or whatever else you're carrying, into my sister's establishment. She wouldn't like it.
Ariadne (to Vincent): Oh. I'm sorry. I made an unscheduled stop & I'm out of cash. If I had known you were in the game, I wouldn't have tried. And, I've been on a walkabout for a bit. A girl on her own's gotta protect herself. I don't use it unless I have to.
Vincent (to Ariadne): Heh. I wouldn't say I'm in the game, hun. More like a bit married to it. Here. 50 bucks isn't much, but it should get you a decent room at this hotel here for a night or two. Ouch! That's quite a shock... Where did you say you were from?
Ariadne (to Vincent): Ouchie momma! ... I didn't say... I'm from Portland. I felt the urge to hit the road & here I am. Thank you for the money!
Vincent (to Ariadne): You're welcome. How'd you get over to the east coast? It's pretty tough to travel that far without money.
Ariadne (to Vincent): I guess I should know the name of my knight in shining armor. I'm Hari. Hari Fenris. It's actually Ariadne but only my father ever calls me that... I took a bus, or hitched most of the way.
Vincent (to Ariadne): I'm Vincent Potter. It's nice to meet you Hari. And, you *hitched* here? Good heavens, sweetie, no wonder you're armed.
Ariadne (to Vincent): Yeah, I had a couple run-ins with some weirdo nut jobs. Thankfully, I lost them but it was odd.
Vincent (to Ariadne): What kind of weirdos? Heh. Trust me; in my time, I've seen weirder.
Ariadne (to Vincent): Heh. I don't want to bore you with the details.
Vincent (to Ariadne): Hee hee. You know, you can tell me to fuck off, hun. This is my number. If you need help, no matter how odd it may sound, feel free to give me a call. I'll bet you a tenner, I've heard stranger.
Ariadne (to Vincent): Well now, you've intrigued me... They just looked like children of the corn rejects. If they had said thee & thou a bunch I probably would have screamed my head off. They wanted me to go with them to London. It was totes weird!
Vincent (to Ariadne): Sounds totes weird. Blonde, impeccably dressed, a bit old fashioned? How did you get away? I've run into the Corntastic kiddies before, and they can be tricky buggers to dodge.
Ariadne (to Vincent): I ran... I'm very fast.
Vincent (to Ariadne): Mmmm. I'll bet. You're not a skipper, are you, hun?
Ariadne (to Vincent): Dude! Shhhhh! Wait. How do you know about that?
Vincent (to Ariadne): Ha ha ha! Well, shit. I should have guessed. This place is like a magnet. You asked if I was a captain, hun, and I am. Just not on this side. I'm a skipper myself. It's why we got shocked as hell when I handed you that fifty. Since we both came through portals recently, the ambient energy caused the spark.
Ariadne (to Vincent): Oh. I've only ever known one other skipper, my grandma. She didn't do it much anymore. But she taught me everything she knew.
Vincent (to Ariadne): Why are you suddenly skipping around, hun? Right now is kind of a dangerous time to be doing it.
Ariadne (to Vincent): My grandmother died recently... Have you ever heard of Fenris International? It's my family's company... My father is making a deal with some very nasty folks from Britannia & I got scared about sticking around. So, I took off.
Vincent (to Ariadne): Oh good heavens... Shit. I've heard of them. I wish I could say I've heard good things... Do you need someplace safe to stay?
Ariadne (to Vincent): Oh... Do you think I won't be safe at a hotel?
Vincent (to Ariadne): It might not be. There have been some, um, off world complications around this area lately. If you're a skipper, hun, you might not be. CLANNG can track us, and I have dampening fields at my place that might help. I understand if you don't trust me. We just met, and I AM a pirate after all.
Ariadne (to Vincent): Oh? Won't your wife be upset about bringing home a young woman? This isn't some weird sex thing, is it? You don't make a habit of picking up skippers, do you? I'm sorry, but you're right I did just meet you. And you seem nice & all but this could be a trick.
Vincent (to Ariadne): Heh. I can promise it's not a sex thing. No offense, hun, but if I wanted that, I could just ask someone. :-P And as I said, I'm more than happily married. I offer, because you're a kid, and I'm a dad, and if there's anyone who knows what you're dealing with, it's us. Please be careful, and more than that, be paranoid. You have my number. If you need help, Hari, please feel free to call. It was nice meeting you.
Ariadne (to Vincent): Thank you, Vincent. Um... Does your place really have an inhibitor field? I hate to ask, but you've now made me totes paranoid. Any way I could crash on your couch for a day? I think I'd rather take my chances with you than the Oliver Twist Brigade.
Vincent (to Ariadne): Heh. I wouldn't have offered if I wasn't willing, hun. And I can promise that I'm almost entirely as harmless as I look. Well, not 100% harmless. Besides, we have nothing worth stealing on this side, so I'm not too worried about your sticky fingers.
Ariadne (to Vincent): I promise I don't make a habit of stealing stuff. I just didn't want my credit cards being used to track my movements. And, I can pay you back, eventually. Thank you for the help.
Vincent (to Ariadne): I was just teasing you, sweetie. Honest. If pickpockets bothered me, I wouldn't have many friends OR a wife. Using cash is a smart move. And don't worry about paying us back. I owe the universe more than a small karmic debt.
Ariadne (to Vincent): Heehee... You're adorable for an old married man.
Vincent (to Ariadne): Don't I know it? Come on, hun.
Ariadne (to Vincent): Lead the way.
