Nathaniel: Where the... Oh. Oh JESUS. I really shouldn't fall asleep on the fucking couch. Ouch...
At a sidewalk café, New London, Britannia:
Hiiri (to Poppy): Miss Meriwether, how nice to see you again! Please, have a seat. I'm sorry to say that your friend, Mister Carmody, will not be joining you for your little meeting. He has been otherwise detained… permanently.
Poppy (to Hiiri): I was wondering when you were going to make an appearance, Hiiri. I hope you don't mind if I prefer to stand, honey.
Hiiri (to Poppy): Suit yourself, Poppy. I hope all is well with the family. Everyone healthy? Safe? Sane?
Poppy (to Hiiri): Can the pleasantries, honey. You're not fooling anyone. What do you want?
Hiiri (to Poppy): You've really let your manners slip in your old age. But, I can respect the straight up approach… I want your little band of rebels to cease their attacks on the CLANNG facilities. We are sanctioned by the Imperial Parliament to operate within the borders of the British Empire. You do realize that you & your people will be hanged for treason, if you persist?
Poppy (to Hiiri): I'm sorry but I have no idea what you're talking about, honey. Band? I'm not really all that musically inclined. Sure, I've been known to carry a tune, but a band. You've got yourself the wrong girl.
Hiiri (to Poppy): You think you're funny, don't you? Well, let me put it more plainly… I've been lenient up to this point, only incarcerating the saboteurs & dissidents we've captured. From now on, anyone & I do mean, anyone caught disturbing the peace will be hanged as traitors. If you want to play hardball, I can play hardball.
Poppy (to Hiiri): So, now we're going to play baseball? Honey, make up your mind… And, let me explain something to you, dear. You may be one of the scariest things I've ever come across, but I've learned a few things over the years. And, if you hurt me or mine, I'm fairly certain you will not live to regret it. I know just how to dismantle an automaton. Now, if you'll excuse me... I have a lunch date that I can't be late for.
Hiiri (to Poppy): Fine. I'm sure we'll see each other again, Poppy.
Poppy (to Hiiri): I have no doubt of that, honey.
A short time later, at the airship docks, New London, Britannia:
Poppy (to Eugenia): There you are, Captain de Beauville! I certainly hope you have good news. I could use some right about now.
Eugenia (to Poppy): Oui et Non. After an attack this morning, on one of the Russian airships researching the portals. My family has declared war on CLANNG. Troops are scouring the empire for any and all known CLANNG depots, headquarters and capturing them. The CLANNG soldiers are being offered the chance to surrender or being ejected out of the empire. My family doesn't take kindly to rude visitors, who take advantage of their hospitality or treatises of peace. So, it looks like your plan is working.
Poppy (to Eugenia): Well, that's good to hear, honey. What's the bad news?
Eugenia (to Poppy): Dr. Korlovsky & associates have isolated how to control the portals, but in order to test it they have to use one of the stable portals & they're concerned that it may affect all of them. So, I've told them to hold off for the time being. But, it may become necessary to try it and well, we both have family and friends on the other side.
Poppy (to Eugenia): Yes, we do… Thank you for telling me all of this. I'll let you get back to your ship.
Eugenia (to Poppy): Au revoir.
Several hours later, at the Longfellow's inn, New London, Britannia:
Charles (to Persephone): Miss Longfellow? I brought you a cup of tea. Would you care for something to eat? I can get you something from the kitchen.
Persephone (to Charles): Oh... That's very sweet of you, Charles. Tea is just fine. I just want to sit here like a vegetable.
Charles (to Persephone): You're quite welcome, miss. If you don't need anything else from me, I'm going to retire to my room for the evening.
Persephone (to Charles): Heh. Unless, you can find me a handsome man to tell me I'm pretty & rub my feet, I think I'm good. By the way, you did really well today. And, I hope you like being here. I know we all like having you.
Charles (to Persephone): Thank you very much. I--I like it quite a bit. I'm quite pleased that my work has been satisfactory to you and your family. I am most grateful for the opportunity.
Persephone (to Charles): Charles, you can relax. You don't have to be so prim & proper with me.
Charles (to Persephone): I... I'm very sorry, Miss Longfellow. I fear I really wouldn't know how else to behave. I'm very sorry if it bothers you.
Persephone (to Charles): Just call me Persephone, please... You act like one of those servant automatons you see at those fancy hotels. You're a kid, you should be out playing in the mud like my brothers.
Charles (to Persephone): I'm not an automaton!
Persephone (to Charles): I didn't mean to offend you. I was just teasing.
Charles (to Persephone): I'm terribly sorry to be brusque with you, Miss… Persephone. I assure you, I'm older than I appear.
Persephone (to Charles): You're older than twelve? Because, you look like you're twelve. And, Ben is twelve & he's still doing kid things.
Charles (to Persephone): No, I'm twelve. Most people assume I'm younger, because I'm... I haven't grown very tall yet. It's more than old enough to work, and until my father returns from the East, I have to look after myself.
Persephone (to Charles): I'm sorry to ruin your mystique by guessing correctly. I know it's old enough to work. Just don't be in such a hurry to grow up so fast. Trust me, being a grown up is overrated. I've only been doing it for a few months & it's not all it's cracked up to be.
Charles (to Persephone): Oh... I appreciate your concern. I honestly do, however I don't really have much in the way of a choice in the matter. I would much rather do honest work, then be back on... then to find myself in another unfortunate situation.
Persephone (to Charles): Fine, fine. You win! I'll stop bugging you about it.
Charles (to Persephone): Thank you, Mi--Persephone. I will see you in the morning.
Persephone (to Charles): Sleep sweet, Charles.
Charles (to Persephone): Good night.
Meanwhile, at Poppy & Vincent's apartment, West Piedmont:
Nathaniel: OK. Bed. I need to make it to the bed tonight... Christ. That shouldn't be a challenge.
Vincent (to Nathaniel): Nate? You're asleep on the couch again, hun. Come on. Let's get you in bed.
Nathaniel (to Vincent): Huh? Oh. Uncle Vincent... Yeah. Bed would be... Wait. This isn't my room. Is this my room?
Vincent (to Nathaniel): Heh. No, this is technically Victor's room, but his bed is a bit bigger & more comfortable than that camp cot of yours. Plus, it has a door, which I'm sure is nice.
Nathaniel (to Vincent): Oh. Yeah. Thanks... I'll... I'll see you in the morning.
