Zoe (to Marlena): Thanks, Mars, for letting me stay with you while my family is off on the other side.
Marlena (to Zoe): You're welcome. It's kinda nice having someone else in the apartment... I need coffee.
Zoe (to Marlena): Ooooh, be careful, Mars. You may actually start showing emotions like a real girl if you're not careful.
Marlena (to Zoe): Hush you.
Onboard a borrowed airship, over the British Channel:
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Good morning, Nate. How are you enjoying your first ride on an airship?
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Hey. I'm not throwing up anymore, so, uh, go me? This is... It's fucking something, isn't it? I'm just trying not to get in everyone's way.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): I'm just glad you're feeling better. Your uncle just informed me that we should be arriving at our destination within the next hour or so.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Yeah. Um, sorry about that... That wasn't fucking humiliating in the slightest. Oh. Yeah. Alright. Um... Should I do something, or, uh, just continue to stand around like an asshole?
Aiden (to Nathaniel): I'm not really sure. Your family seems to have everything well in hand. Miss Hari is hiding in the living quarters, we could join her until someone hollers for us. Are you wishing you had stayed on the other side with Zoe?
Nathaniel (to Aiden): No. Not really. Honestly, I was curious, and, you know, all of this is part of who you are, and what my fa- ... Um, aunt and uncle do and stuff. It's still kinda weird they asked me along.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Well, perhaps they wanted you to know what their life was like over here... I mean, I wouldn't at all mind if you liked it on this side. Then when all this insanity is done with... you just might want to stay with me in my house in New London. Which I know is completely selfish of me, but I can't help but daydream of us waking up in my big bed. Heh... Sorry.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Oh. Um... Heh. Figured you'd have had your fill of me for a while.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Not at all. I actually miss being alone with you at our little cabin. If we were able, I would have loved to stay longer. But alas, duty calls.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): I would've liked that too. Specially, cause of the hot tub and you spent most of your time... Um, yeah... Heh. Moving on.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Heh... I am seriously beginning to suspect that you're trying to kill me. I mean, I don't mind if that's the way you're going to do it. But, I may need to take more vitamins or something.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Oh Jesus. I'm sorry. I'm not... If it's too much, or something, you can tell me. I, um, I guess...
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Nate, calm down. I was just teasing. I'm actually quite flattered & not at all upset or unwilling.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Fuck it. I'm as big a fucking pervert as the rest of the family. Sorry.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Heh. You're going to give yourself an embolism if you're not careful. I'm going to go make some tea. Care to join me?
Nathaniel (to Aiden): I know. I know. Sorry! I don't mean to be so fucking insecure. It's just all kinda new, and way, WAY fucking unexpected...
Aiden (to Nathaniel): You're not that bad, Nate. Besides, if you become well-adjusted you may lose interest in me & then what'll I do. :-P
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Heh. Yeah. I promise I'll stop being such a basket case sooner or later. Smart money's on later. :-P
Ariadne (to Nathaniel & Aiden): OMG, you guys are really fucking adorable... Should I leave the room or is it okay if I just watch? :-P
Nathaniel (to Ariadne): I dunno. How much horrified screaming do you like to hear in your live action porn?
Ariadne (to Nathaniel): Dude! If there's horrified screaming, you are doing something seriously wrong.
Aiden (to Nathaniel & Ariadne): ... I am just going to go put the kettle on.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Sorry. (to Ariadne) Seriously. I'm nauseous and nervous and trying not to be a dick. Why are you fucking baiting me?
Ariadne (to Nathaniel): Sorry... I'm bored and nervous.
Nathaniel (to Ariadne): It's alright. I default to asshole when I'm anxious. I was a huge dick to Aiden when I first met him. And everyone else. Ever been to this side before?
Ariadne (to Nathaniel): Yeah, a few times but never on an airship... Babushke would take me to France to meet family occasionally or send me to places where she wasn't able to go herself. Usually to deliver a letter or a package.
Nathaniel (to Ariadne): Oh. So, nothing fun, huh? Same here. It's always been to run an errand or something. Heh. Last time I was here some robot kid threatened to rip me in half.
Ariadne (to Nathaniel): ... Was it a creepy little girl with auburn colored hair?
Nathaniel (to Ariadne): Um, yeah. It was. She tried to arrest Aiden. What? Run into her before?
Ariadne (to Nathaniel): Yeah, I think she was involved with my grandmother's death somehow... Shit. I always knew there was more going on than I was told by Babushke but, now that I'm face to face with it, I'm not sure what I'm supposed to do. Sorry, you don't want to hear me whine.
Nathaniel (to Ariadne): Don't worry about it. You can bitch if you need to. I get it. BELIEVE ME. A coupla weeks ago, I found out my ex was murdered. My aunt & uncle think it's related to me, somehow. No one has said as much to me, but I'd be a fucking idiot if I couldn't figure that shit out.
Ariadne (to Nathaniel): Dude! That fucking sucks... It's because of this skipping ability, isn't it?
Nathaniel (to Ariadne): Maybe... Probably. How'd you know I could do that?
Ariadne (to Nathaniel): Your uncle & your cousin can both do it. I just assumed.
Nathaniel (to Ariadne): And then I just fucking confirmed it. Christ! Sorry. This shit's all kinda new to me. I didn't know I could, you know, skip out on fucking reality, literally, until I showed up at my uncle's. I thought I was fucking crazy before that.
Ariadne (to Nathaniel): You seem to be doing okay for yourself. You got a hottie for a boyfriend AND your family is pretty kickass. Not bad for a supposed nutjob. :-P
Nathaniel (to Ariadne): Heh. Yeah. It's amazing what not being locked up in a psyche ward or homophobic bootcamp can do for a guy's social life.
Ariadne (to Nathaniel): Heh. I can only imagine... So, you didn't grow up with Vincent and Poppy? For some reason, I thought you did.
Nathaniel (to Ariadne): Who me? Heh. Fuck no. I showed up a couple months ago needing someplace to stay. Things got... complicated at home. What? You missed the fucking accent?
Ariadne (to Nathaniel): No, I noticed it, homeslice. You just seemed to fit in pretty comfortably with them, that's all. You know, not everyone is your enemy... Your prickliness almost makes me miss my father's rampant disregard for people's feelings... almost.
Nathaniel (to Ariadne): Yeah, well... If it makes you feel better, I was just as prickly with these guys at first. I know not everyone is out to get me. I'm working on it. I haven't had good luck with people before now, you know.
Ariadne (to Nathaniel): Yeah well, this is all new to me... Here, I accidentally nicked this off of you. It's a bad habit of mine. Sorry.
Nathaniel (to Ariadne): Yeah. Accidentally, my ass. You're just as bad as fucking Victor. Your dad's a dick, huh?
Ariadne (to Nathaniel): That, my sexy young friend, is the understatement of the year. He is a bit of a control freak to put it mildly... I mean, that's why his company is so successful, but still a dick.
Nathaniel (to Ariadne): Yeah. Mine too. My dad's a preacher. I didn't have it as bad as Uncle Vincent with my grandpa, apparently, but it still was... Well, I was a fucking disappointment in a whole shitton of ways.
Ariadne (to Nathaniel): I feel like there should be a t-shirt or a secret handshake... God. Are we there yet?
Nathaniel (to Ariadne): Fucked if I know. This is my first time on one of these, uh, blimp things. You'd have to ask the experts.
Ariadne (to Nathaniel): Well, I guess that's what I should do, then.
A moment later:
Ariadne (to Victor & Vincent): Sorry to bother you, but when do you think we'll be arriving?
Victor (to Ariadne): That is a very good question. (to Vincent) Where on earth does Captain de Beauville want to meet us?
Vincent (to Victor & Ariadne): Patience, my young padawans. We'll be there in about an hour.
Ariadne (to Vincent & Victor): Padawans? OMG, are you a jedi master?
Vincent (to Ariadne & Victor): I'm impressive. Most impressive, but I'm not a Jedi yet.
Victor (to Ariadne): Oh lord. You have him started. He'll never stop now. We'll be trying to negotiate with another pirate, and he'll be muttering, "Do, or do not. There is no try," in a funny voice. We'll be shot on sight.
Vincent (to Victor & Ariadne): Hush. Hari won't know you're kidding. Have I ever gotten us shot at upon sight?
Victor (to Vincent): YES. Upon more than one occasion.
Ariadne (to Vincent & Victor): Oops, did I interrupt a family squabble?
Vincent (to Ariadne): No. Not at all, hun. My darling son is just a bit anxious because this is the first job he's flying solo. Well, with me and his mother tagging along. Hee hee. We're making him nervous.
Ariadne (to Vincent & Victor): Oh.
Poppy (to Vincent, Victor & Ariadne): And, he's doing a wonderful job.
Vincent (to Poppy): Heh. That he is. I never said otherwise. :-p
Poppy (to Vincent): Lover, will you come with me to the cargo hold? There's something I'd like to show you.
Vincent (to Poppy): Oh. Yes. Of course. (to Victor & Ariadne) Excuse us, kids.
Ariadne (to Poppy & Vincent): Oh sure... (to Victor) Brown chicken, brown cow... Your folks are really into each other, aren't they?
Victor (to Ariadne): That's one way to put it. I might also use the word, "gross" or "embarrassing."
Ariadne (to Victor): Heh... Does your father have a slightly younger brother? Because, no offense but DAMN he looks good in those pants. Sorry... It's been awhile.
Victor (to Ariadne): You act like that's the first time someone has said that to me. Still very, VERY, gross mind you... but, why do you think all those rumors about him got started? And no. As far as we know, my dad's the youngest in his family. I don't know that I'd classify my extended biological family as "good." Besides, you have two whole realities full of potential dating material.
Ariadne (to Victor): Well, damn... All the good men are either gay or taken. Such is my life.
Victor (to Ariadne): They can't ALL be gay or taken. You sound just like my cousin Persephone. You two should go... No. Wait. On second thought, you should never meet. You'll either hate each other, or get into FAR too much trouble together.
Ariadne (to Victor): Heh... I'll keep that in mind... Note to self, do not meet Victor's cousin Persephone. :-P
Victor (to Ariadne): She has a knack for getting people into trouble. That DEFINITELY is a family trait. How are you holding up?
Ariadne (to Victor): Just peachy... Maybe, we should really rethink this whole mothe-- I mean, Russian royal family business?
Victor (to Ariadne): It's alright. I know. You were talking to yourself when you were packing. Um, rather loudly.
Ariadne (to Victor): I was? I'm sorry... It's just if this de Beauville is actually my mom. It's been 18 years since I last saw her.
Victor (to Ariadne): I know. That was about the gist of what you were saying earlier. Also, i believe "stupid goddamn pirates" was mentioned. Several times. Several, SEVERAL times.
Ariadne (to Victor): ... My mother used to tell me bedtime stories about pirates. She always loved the idea of adventures.
Victor (to Ariadne): Heh. The idea and the *reality* of pirates are often two totally different things, as you can see. Unless all this flying to coordinates is too much excitement for you.
Ariadne (to Victor): Heh... Um, can you tell me anything about de Beauville? Have you met her before? Is she nice? Is she horrible?
Victor (to Ariadne): Personally? I think I've only met her once or twice as a kid. She runs in the same circles as my parents. Perhaps not QUITE the same circles. She's a privateer. She's on the payroll of the Empire to keep the air channels between France and England clear. She took over as captain from her husband, because she was more adept than he. She's a bit more... My parents don't really go in for political jobs. A bit too much personal experience with the Powers That Be, I think. We mostly run local jobs: goods or deliveries to places the official channels of Britannia don't really travel.
Ariadne (to Victor): Oh... Well then, this should be all sorts of fun. Blergh.
Victor (to Ariadne): I'm really sorry, Hari. I wish I knew what to tell you.
A short time later:
Eugenia: Maltese Falcon, please adjust your course & land at the following coordinates. We've been having some issues with CLANNG while we've been waiting for you.
Victor (to Eugenia): We read you, Mirrored Queen. This is the crew of the Falcon. We'll rendezvous at the new location. Is there anything we should watch for, Captain de Beauville?
Eugenia (to Victor): Yes. Watch out for a CLANNG stealth airship. We lost it a ways back but I'm worried it's not for long.
Victor (to Eugenia): Thanks for the warning, Captain. We'll be careful. (to Ariadne) So, uh... That was your mom.
Ariadne (to Victor): Yeah.
Victor (to Ariadne): It looks like CLANNG is expecting us. I'm glad we're not actually flying the Falcon. It's WAY too recognizable. You know, we don't have to do this if you don't want to. We can find another way. Or we could experience sudden engine trouble.
Ariadne (to Victor): I can deal with it, Victor. If this could potentially help us all go back to our normal lives, I'm willing to do it. But, I appreciate your concern.
Poppy (to Ariadne & Victor): Alright, sweeties, enough with the moping & serious faces. Vincent & I will go out to meet the Mirrored Queen & we'll need you all to watch our backs. No offense, but I'm not big on trusting the Beauvilles until I know this isn't a trap.
Victor (to Ariadne & Poppy): Yes, ma'am. It's just... She said there was a CLANNG stealth ship on her tail, and these coordinates aren't in British air space. Is Hari going with you?
Poppy (to Victor): Honestly, honey, I'm not sure it would be a good idea to bring her with us right away. I'm thinking she could come in shortly after we start the discussion. I want her to agree to our terms before the family drama starts. (to Ariadne) Is that alright with you, Hari? Or you could just stay aboard if you'd rather. No one will fault you for it, honey.
Ariadne (to Poppy): I can handle it.
Poppy (to Victor): I'd like you & Aiden to do a perimeter search of the area after we land. I don't want to be ambushed.
Victor (to Poppy): Yes, ma'am. You, uh, you may want to interrupt Aiden and Nate, then. They may pay you a bit more heed.
Poppy (to Victor): Interrupt them, honey? Oh. Don't tell me the young lovers are at it again. I swear, we're going to need a bucket & constant supply of cold water with those two onboard.
Victor (to Poppy): I don't know what they're up to, and I'm not keen on finding out.
Poppy (to Victor): Fine, honey. I'll go bring them to heel. Your father will be up momentarily to help with the landing.
Victor (to Poppy): I can handle the bloody... I mean... I'm sorry, ma'am. Aye, aye.
Poppy (to Victor): I didn't mean that you NEEDED help, but you've never landed this particular ship & it's nice to have a 2nd pair of hands.
Victor (to Poppy): I know, Mom. I'm sorry. You're right.
Poppy (to Victor): Now, let me go see to the boys. (to Ariadne) If you sharpen that knife any more, honey, you won't have an edge left.
A moment later:
Poppy (to Aiden & Nathaniel): Boys, we had to make a brief detour but we're landing in a few minutes. Aiden, I need you to assist Victor with checking the perimeter of the meeting area. Nate, I'd like you to keep Hari company until we signal for you two to join us, if that's alright with you boys... Any questions?
Nathaniel (to Poppy): Oh! Um, sorry, Aunt Poppy. We were... Sorry. Are you, uh, are you sure you want me to be there? I kinda tend to run at the mouth when I'm nervous. I mean, I'll try to be quiet! I just... Um, you know.
Aiden (to Poppy): Yes, ma'am.
Poppy (to Nathaniel): I know, honey, but you wanted us to stop treating you like you were made of glass & delicate. So, here you go. (to Aiden & Nathaniel) And sweeties, you may want to switch your shirts back. It's slightly obscene & a wee bit distracting. Aiden is practically going to rip that shirt at the seams. :-P
Nathaniel (to Poppy): ... Oh. Um. Yeah. Sorry.
Poppy (to Aiden & Nathaniel): Get yourselves sorted & then meet us at the cargo hold when we've landed.
Aiden (to Poppy): Of course, Miss Poppy.
Nathaniel (to Poppy): Yes, ma'am. (to Aiden) Here you go. That wasn't fucking embarrassing at all.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Sorry about that, Nate. You're just too damn sexy for me to keep my hands off of you.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Like I wasn't just as guilty of fucking around. And shut up with that shit, will you? I mean, I like hearing I'm sexy, you're gonna give me a swollen head. Heh. You'll be careful, right? Make sure my cousin takes good fucking care of you.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Of course. Victor & I have worked together before. You'll be careful, won't you?
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Yeah. I'll just keep my mouth shut. How much trouble can I get myself into? Uh... Don't answer that.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Heh. Just keep an eye on Miss Hari. I know, you'll be just fine.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): I love you. I'll see you soon. And uh, no offense, but don't put my clothes on anymore. You stretched the shit outta my shirt.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Sorry, Nate. It was the first thing I grabbed off the floor when I heard your aunt coming. I love you too.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): I know. I was just teasing... Later.
Victor (to Vincent): So, are you going to actually help, or are you just going to lounge in that chair?
Vincent (to Victor): I'm just gonna lounge. You're doing fine, kiddo.
Victor (to Vincent): Gee, thanks, Dad.
A short time later:
Victor (to Vincent, Poppy, Aiden, Nathaniel & Ariadne): Alright, ladies and gents. We've landed.
Poppy (to Victor): Excellent! (to Aiden, Victor, Vincent, Ariadne & Nathaniel) Let's get this show on the road, lovelies. Everyone, remember what you're supposed to do?
Ariadne (to Poppy): Yes.
Aiden (to Poppy): Of course! (to Victor) Let's go, Victor.
Victor (to Aiden): Yep. (to Nathaniel) Don't worry, Nate. I'll watch his arse. We'll be fine.
Nathaniel (to Victor): Thanks. (to Ariadne) Looks like you and me are on sitting on the bridge duty.
Ariadne (to Nathaniel): Heh. Lucky us.
Nathaniel (to Ariadne): Heh. Yeah. I think you're supposed to keep me from getting myself in trouble.
Ariadne (to Nathaniel): Oh? Who's supposed to stop me from getting into trouble?
Nathaniel (to Ariadne): If it's me, we're fucked.
Vincent (to Ariadne & Nathaniel): You're BOTH to stay out of trouble.
Ariadne (to Vincent & Victor): Dude, I was just joking. I am way out of my element.
Vincent (to Ariadne & Nathaniel): I know, hun. I also want you both to know we want you to stay safe, because we care and worry.
Nathaniel (to Vincent & Ariadne): Yeah. We know. Be careful.
Ariadne (to Nathaniel & Vincent): Thank you.
A minute later:
Nathaniel (to Ariadne): Looks, like it's you and me, itty bitty.
Ariadne (to Nathaniel): I'm itty bitty? Have you seen the rest of your family? You & your boyfriend are the tallest. For once I'm average height :-p
Nathaniel (to Ariadne): Heh. I was referring more to your size than your height. Besides... Victor's average height. I think.
Ariadne (to Nathaniel): Oh... Sorry. I was in ballet until I was seventeen.
Nathaniel (to Ariadne): Heh. Yeah. That doesn't that surprise me. It wasn't a dig. So, you know. I've seen you eat. S'not like you've got issues with food. :-P
Ariadne (to Nathaniel): It's okay. Besides, you're kinda scrawny yourself. :-p
Nathaniel (to Ariadne): Heh. Yeah. Never claimed I wasn't. Believe it or not, this is me with weight gain.
Ariadne (to Nathaniel): Wanna play a card game or something?
Nathaniel (to Ariadne): Heh. Oh. Yeah. Sure. Uh, there's probably a deck of cards around here somewhere. Aunt Poppy taught me how to play a few games.
Ariadne (to Nathaniel): Coolio, daddio! That should kill some time while we wait.
Nathaniel (to Ariadne): Heh. You say that now. I'm kinda a shitty card player. Got a game you like?
Ariadne (to Nathaniel): How about something easy like slapjack?
Nathaniel (to Ariadne): Sounds like something I could handle right about now. ... Christ. I don't know how Victor does this. I'm a bundle of nerves. Oh. Wait. Heh. I forgot. It's his fucking parents. They're like ... I dunno. The tiniest of Mr. &Mrs. James Bonds.
Ariadne (to Nathaniel): If it makes you feel any better, my nerves are a bit rumbly, too. Heehee, you'll be all comfortable with this stuff in no time, I bet.
Nathaniel (to Ariadne): Yeah. I don't know about that. Everyone else seems to take all this shit in stride, while I stress.
Ariadne (to Nathaniel): Come on, let's play cards.
