Yukiko (to Poppy): Miss Poppy? Are you making blueberry pancakes in here?
Poppy (to Yukiko): I am, honey. There's also bacon, sausage in the oven & fresh coffee made.
Yukiko (to Poppy): You are my favorite person in the whole wide world, Miss Poppy. Will you marry me?
Poppy (to Yukiko): Heehee, that's very sweet, honey, and I'm flattered but I think my son would be a little upset about that. :-P
Yukiko (to Poppy): I'll just have to settle for this breakfast, instead.
Victor (to Poppy): Mom, whatever you're doing in here smells amazing, and I am a fan.
Poppy (to Victor): Wow, honey, if I had known making blueberry pancakes would make me so popular, I would have done it earlier. :-p I take it you two have been eating very simply on the airship.
Victor (to Poppy): Heh. Yeah. More than a bit. You know how it goes, Mom: food that's easy to make and can be set to a simmer.
Poppy (to Victor): Well, help yourself. Just leave some for your father.
Victor (to Poppy): I make no promises. If he's foolish enough not to get up in time good food, he'll have to fend for himself. :-P
Poppy (to Victor): You are brave, my son, or very very dumb. :-p (to Yukiko & Victor) I need to head back to the bunker. Give me a hug, you two.
Victor (to Poppy): Be careful, Mom.
Yukiko (to Poppy): Be safe, Miss Poppy.
Vincent (to Poppy, Yukiko & Victor): Good heavens. A few weeks of running cargo alone, and the boy forgets all his manners! (to Poppy) Oh no you don't. You're not slipping away that easily just yet. Come here, gorgeous.
Poppy (to Yukiko & Victor): I will, kids. (to Vincent) I wasn't slipping away. I love you. Lover, keep an eye on things while I'm gone. I should be back in a few days.
Yukiko (to Vincent): Good morning, captain. There is still some breakfast left in the oven staying warm.
Vincent (to Poppy): Don't I always keep an eye on things. I love you too. Hurry back. I'm already ravenous for your return. (to Yukiko) Thank you, Yoyo. It's nice to know SOME people still act like they have good breeding.
Victor (to Vincent): Heh. DAD. I was only kidding--well, mostly kidding. And you're the first person to act in a rude manner if you think it will be funny or shock someone.
Vincent (to Victor & Yukiko): Such slander against my person!
Yukiko (to Vincent & Victor): Do not look at me. I am not getting in the middle of this family moment. I'm going to get showered.
Victor (to Yukiko): Heh. I don't blame you in the slightest.
Vincent (to Victor): Stop making that face, son of mine. Give me a hug. I haven't seen you in ages. I missed teasing you. :-P How has running cargo in the Sister solo been going?
Victor (to Vincent): It's been fine. We've been taking small jobs, and being careful. We've only been working for people who've worked with you and Mom before, and who we know have no love of CLANNG. You should hear some of the rumors being passed around about why you guys aren't pirating anymore.
Vincent (to Victor): Hee hee. I'll bet. Anything good?
Victor (to Vincent): Heh. Mostly the usual. The current theory is that you've both run off with a French duke.
Vincent (to Victor): Ooo. French!
Percy (to Vincent & Victor): Ooooo, who's Frenching whom, sweeties?
Vincent (to Percy): Hello, Percy. Still not knocking, I see. What brings you by?
Percy (to Vincent): Knocking is soooo passé, honey. Besides if I knocked you might not let me in. I came to collect a package Poppy left for me. She neglected to bring it with her & the poor dear was just swamped with work when I saw her at the bunker. So, I thought I'd just pop over and grab it.
Vincent (to Percy): Mmm. That's awfully helpful and considerate of you. Which is suspicious as hell. What aren't you telling me, Percy?
Percy (to Vincent): Well, you know that her little rebels are all moving over to the Old Piedmont, honey. I'm not really sure what else to tell you unless, you want to know about her little going away surprise for CLANNG that she & Fiona are setting up... But, it's ever so boring. Wouldn't you rather hear about Persephone & the young CLANNG officer that's been sniffing around?
Vincent (to Percy): Oh, that little surprise.
Victor (to Percy & Vincent): What?! What's this about a CLANNG officer? Is Seph, OK?
Vincent (to Victor): Calm down, Victor. I think Percy means that in a salacious manner rather than a suspicious one.
Percy (to Vincent & Victor): Oh yes, quite. He seems like a sweet yankee that's gotten mixed up with a bad crowd...which she, of course, isn't falling for one bit. Also, you'll be happy to know that Molly & Bernard are now the proud parents of a second daughter. They're presently arguing over the name. Molly wants Penelope & Bernard wants Lily. I believe the boys want to call her Puppy.
Victor (to Percy & Vincent): Uh oh. Another Longfellow girl? Poor Aunt Molly and Uncle Bernard.
Vincent (to Victor): Hush. (to Percy) That's WONDERFUL news, hun. I'll have to get over there as soon as I can to congratulate them.
Percy (to Vincent): Heehee. Persephone & I are taking bets as to which name will win. The boys seem confident that Puppy will. :-P
Vincent (to Victor & Percy): Hee hee. I'm sure Molly is thrilled. And for what it's worth, I like Lily. Or possibly Puppy. :-P
Percy (to Vincent & Victor): If one of you could grab my package for me. Poppy said it was on her nightstand... Or I could just rummage around for it? I really don't mind.
Vincent (to Percy): I'm sure you wouldn't. Why don't I help you find it instead?
Percy (to Vincent): Spoilsport.
A few moments later:
Yukiko (to Victor): Is it safe to come back into the kitchen?
Victor (to Yukiko): Heh. Yeah. Dad and Percy are looking for something my mom left. Right now, the kitchen is the safest place in the house. Molly's had the baby!
Yukiko (to Victor): That's wonderful news! Congratulations, you've got yourself another cousin.
Victor (to Yukiko): Hee hee. That I do. It's a little girl. Let's hope she's calmer than Seph. I somehow doubt it, but we can hope.
Yukiko (to Victor): Heehee. Are you okay, Victor? You seem tense. Or is it just because of Percy's visit?
Victor (to Yukiko): Heh. Well, Percy does have that effect on people... Percy mentioned some CLANNG agent has been sniffing around the Inn. Or, more specifically, Persephone.
Yukiko (to Victor): Oh? Would you like me to go check it out?
Victor (to Yukiko): No. He's CLANNG, so he may have your description, and know about your connection to us. If they catch you... Not that he WOULD. ;-) It doesn't mean that I don't want to know what's going on. Damn. Who do we know that won't be recognized by CLANNG?
Yukiko (to Victor): Nate, Hari or Mars are the only people who spring to mind. But, Hari has her hands full with the move... so, really only Nate or Mars. Though, I'm not sure how Aiden would feel about sending his boyfriend to spy on his ex-fianceé.
Victor (to Yukiko): Hee hee. Well, there would be no spying involved. Whomever we ask to see Seph will have to ask her directly. Seph wants to be a pirate or spy WAY too much. I'm not sure Nate or Mars would be able to get the drop on her. ;-)
Yukiko (to Victor): Heehee. Do you think Seph's in danger? Should we tell your mom?
Victor (to Yukiko): I don't think she's in any danger. From the sounds of it, he's trying to flirt with Seph, most likely to get information. I just want to make sure she's alright. I'm sure my mother knows about the pushy colonist already. I know I'm being more than slightly ridiculous...
Yukiko (to Victor): She's your best friend, I think you're allowed to be worried.
Victor (to Yukiko): Heh. Thank you for not making me feel like a paranoid idiot. Before we leave, we'll have to ask Mars and Nate if they wouldn't mind taking a trip to the Inn for us.
Yukiko (to Victor): Good idea. Besides, I think Mars will kill me, if the only time she sees me on this visit was at Zoe's play.
Victor (to Yukiko): Heh. Yeah she will. Did I tell you she sold a painting?
Yukiko (to Victor): No... Um... Was it a triptych of Nate by any chance?
Victor (to Yukiko): That's the one. What is it?
Yukiko (to Victor): Heehee, I happen to know who bought it.
Victor (to Yukiko): Oh? Who is it? Don't you DARE clam up! You can't taunt me with information like that. We Potters are a nosy bunch of bastards. Was it Aiden?
Yukiko (to Victor): Of course, it was. He was being all mopey over missing Nate & I jokingly mentioned that he should get a photo of Nate to pin in his quarters... So, not wanting to be so gauche, he bought the triptych. He had a lawyer over here arrange the sale for him. He's really quite a sap when it comes to that sort of thing. I never would have thought it. Becoming blacklisted was the best thing for some of us in a lot of ways.
Victor (to Yukiko): Ha ha ha! Why doesn't that surprise me? It certainly seems like getting relieved of official responsibilities suits Aiden. He's more human than I can ever recall seeing him. Heh. He and I were all ready to go find you when you made contact with the Bleak House and then missed your check in a few months ago. He was as worried as I.
Yukiko (to Victor): Yeah, he told me about that. He's been my handler since I started working at ISS, he was kind of the closest thing I had to a best friend until I met Mars... and then, you. Aiden & I have always tried to watch each other's back. It's what partners & friends do.
Victor (to Yukiko): From what he said, you were the closest thing he had to a friend as well. Until he and Nate started dating, that is. Honestly. What IS it with this family and spies? ;-)
Yukiko (to Victor): Because, you're all a bunch of loners, rebels & nosy bastards I suspect. :-P
Victor (to Yukiko): Heh. You forgot rogues and scoundrels.
Several hours later,at the Piedmont Hotel, West Piedmont:
Nathaniel: Oh Jesus Christ... (to Aiden) I got it. Ummm... Heh. Stay right there. I'll be back. Really fucking quick.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): What if I say no?
Nathaniel (to Aiden): So come with me then. I'm the one wearing goddamn pants. :-P
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Well, if you'd stop hiding my pants I would.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Heh. Yeah? Well... Maybe I don't want you to wear pants. I should go get that, shouldn't I?
Aiden (to Nathaniel): I suppose, but knocking in the middle of the night is never good.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Oh... Shit. You're right. Think I should ignore it? I mean, everyone who knows us has my number, right? Fuck it. If it was important, they'd call. Besides, right now, I'm kinda more interested in you. Especially with no pants.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Well, get your ass back in bed, then.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Heh. Bossy, fucking bossy. I'm coming. Shove over, sexy.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): I'll shove over IF you promise to lose the shirt. ;-)
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Just the shirt? Alright. Sure. If you like scrawny ass... Hey! Hands off, man! Heh. Calm down. All this shit's coming off.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Good... I, honestly, could stay curled up next to you forever & I would be very content. I love you, Nate.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): I love you too. A whole fucking lot.
