Poppy (to Nathaniel): Good morning, my handsome nephew! Breakfast?
Nathaniel (to Poppy): Um, no thanks. Just coffee is fine for right now. ... What did I do?
Poppy (to Nathaniel): Nothing at all, honey. I just have some news that you might be interested in. Here, you go.
Nathaniel (to Poppy): Um Oh. OK. What's up?
Poppy (to Nathaniel): Things are getting a little dangerous in Britannia. And well, my people are going to be over on this side for awhile. I've actually made arrangements to purchase the Old Piedmont Inn with the help of Aiden. That way, we can control access to portals.
Nathaniel (to Poppy): Oh. Oh! So, um, Aiden is gonna be on this side for a while? Will you guys all be safe there? That is where they found... Um... I mean, people can cross over there, right?
Poppy (to Nathaniel): Well, that's why we're setting up shop there. The portals are possibly going to close when the Russians run a test & we want to be able to monitor when it opens up again. And yes, honey, Aiden will be on this side for awhile. If the test goes well, we should be able to control the portals... If, the Russians let us have a device, which I'm hoping. Fingers crossed.
Nathaniel (to Poppy): I'm sorry things are shi--, um, rough on the other side. I know that's gotta be kinda awful for you guys, but... heh. I'm not gonna complain about being able to see Aiden more often.
Poppy (to Nathaniel): Heh. I thought you might like that, honey. He's over on this side right now, but he's been organizing the purchase of the building. He should have it all in hand later today or tomorrow. Here's the address of where he's staying... If you're interested. I know for a fact that he would love to see you.
Nathaniel (to Poppy): Oh! Heh. Yeah. I'd like to see him too... Thanks! I'm going to go get dressed.
Poppy (to Nathaniel): Heehee, you are very welcome, honey.
A couple minutes later:
Vincent (to Nathaniel): Whoo! Watch it there, kiddo!
Nathaniel (to Vincent): Sorry!
Vincent (to Poppy): Hello, lover. You look gorgeous. What has got Nate running out of here like a wild thing?
Poppy (to Vincent): Heehee, I told him about that Aiden would be over here for some time & gave him the address of where he's staying while he finalizes the purchase of the Old Piedmont... So, we now have the house to ourselves for a few hours, lover.
Vincent (to Poppy): You are a brilliant woman.
Poppy (to Vincent): Heehee, I thought you'd like that, honey.
An hour or so later, at the Piedmont Hotel, West Piedmont:
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Um, hey. I'm not bugging you, am I? My aunt gave me the address, and...
Aiden (to Nathaniel): ... Sorry. You are a sight for sore eyes.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Heh... That wasn't a complaint. How long has it been since you've seen me? On your side? Cause it has been a HELL of a long two weeks for me. Heh. Which sounds like a stupid thing to say out loud...
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Its been about two months for me. I'm very glad Poppy sent you over here to find me.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Wow. I now I really feel like an asshole for complaining about not seeing you for two weeks. I'm glad to see you too.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): So, I take it your aunt told you why I'm over here... And, I know you & I talked about the possibility of moving in together when all this was over. And since I'll be on this side for awhile, I don't want you to feel obligated to do it, if you don't want to or you're not ready yet. The inn is big enough that many of us will be able to have apartments in it. I'm not sure you'd want to stay with a bunch of spies from Britannia, anyway...
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Are you... You're nervous I'll say no, aren't you? I wouldn't mind living with you at all, but, I'm, um, not sure if I can live in the Piedmont Inn just yet, even all fixed up.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): I understand. It's too soon after the whole thing with Tim.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Sorry. I know it's... Sorry.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): I really do understand, Nate. Doesn't change the fact that I'm a little disappointed but that doesn't mean I love you any less. I would be a terrible cad if that were the case.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): I know you don't. After you get everything settled at the Inn, we could always, um, get an apartment somewhere else. I mean, if you still want to.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): I would actually like that very much.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Heh. Besides, call me crazy, but I'm not crazy about the idea of living in the same space as Fiona.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Nor would I, when you put it like that.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Heh. She likes you, you know. Anyway, if you're busy, I can make dinner tonight. Uh, I think...
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Yes, I am very much aware of Fiona's fondness for me. I'm not sure why, we have nothing in common except our occupation... And, I think I have my hands quite full with one foul-mouthed, insane lover. :-P
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Heh. I bet can take a good guess why she's interested. And I'm not insane... Heh. I mean, I don't think I am.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Heh. I don't really think you're insane. Hot, yes. Sexy, definitely. ;-P
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Oh... Heh. Hot and sexy, huh? Well, that's definitely an improvement over insane. :-P
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Well, you did once warn me about complimenting you too much. I wouldn't want you to get a swelled head.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Heh. I did, didn't I? So... do you need me to get outta your hair for a while?
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Not at all. I'm actually just waiting for some people to call me back... and then, I may have to run to a lawyers office to sign papers. But, until then, I'm all yours.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Oh yeah? Well, I guess I'll just have to figure out something to do with you until then, huh?
Aiden (to Nathaniel): I think you're more than up to the task.
Several hours later, at the theater, in the Lovelace School of the Arts, East Piedmont:
Jessica: Alright people, listen up! We're going to do one full dress rehearsal tonight & then, I want everyone to go home & get a good night's sleep. The wardrobe dept. asks that you please make sure your costumes are tagged properly before you leave. They will not be held responsible if you can't find your costume. Anyone who needs full makeup for showtime please, give yourself plenty of time to get here because we only have 3 people doing makeup. So, I recommend those that can, please do your own makeup. Okay, people, let's get the show on the road!
A few minutes later:
Jessica (to Zoe): Zoe? Your makeup is perfect! Did you do that on your own?
Zoe (to Jessica): No. My father did it... He's the one in the puffy shirt sitting in the third row. He wanted to watch the rehearsal. You know, cuz it's my first production. I hope that's okay.
Jessica (to Zoe): Well, he did a fantastic job! And, it's fine that he's here. There's several other parents here, too. It's actually quite common for some of the parents to come the night of the dress rehearsal. I gotta go make sure the techs are ready. Break a leg!
Zoe: Why is it that I can never tell if she means that in a nice & supportive way or as an actual suggestion?
Colin (to Zoe): Psst! I'll see you on stage. Break a leg, cute stuff!
Zoe (to Colin): You too! See you on stage!
Colin (to Zoe): You'll do great! See you out there, Elphaba!
Zoe (to Colin): Heh... Aren't you supposed to be on the other side of the stage, Fiyero? :-p
Colin (to Zoe): Heh! I'm getting! I'm getting!
Meanwhile, out in the seating area:
Vincent (to Jacob): Professor! How are you?
Jacob (to Vincent): I'm good, Captain! Are you excited about your girl's first play?
Vincent (to Jacob): Hee hee. Is it obvious? Am I beaming?
Jacob (to Vincent): Heh. Just a little. Oh. By the way, you may want to watch out for the stage mothers to your left. They flirt with everyone.
Vincent (to Jacob): Heh. Thanks, but I'm sure I can handle a couple of stage moms who... Oh. Yikes. Perhaps not. The one in the sweater looks like she wants to chew on me. And not in the fun way.
Jacob (to Vincent): That's Sharon, her daughter is Zoe's understudy. She once put her hand up my shirt at the after party. Robert laughed for days over it.
Vincent (to Jacob): Oh, so that's the Dread Understudy's mother. I can't say that it surprises me. Hee hee. I'll keep her away from my shirt.
Jacob (to Vincent): Heh. It's starting...
Vincent (to Jacob): Oh...There's Zoe!
