Nathaniel (to Persephone): Hey, now... Take it easy. I'm not here to stir up trouble. I just wanted to know if Zoe is here.
Persephone (to Nathaniel): ... Yes, she's in the garden weeding. You're not going to do anything to her, are you?
Nathaniel (to Persephone): No. I swear on... Heh. Shit. I haven't got much to swear on, do I? I'm just gonna ask... I'm just gonna talk to her. Like a person. Not like CLANNG. Promise. You can shoot me with that pop gun in your pocket if I'm lying.
Persephone (to Nathaniel): Don't worry, I will.
Nathaniel (to Persephone): Heh. Fair enough.
A few moments later:
Nathaniel (to Zoe): They got you working, huh?
Zoe (to Nathaniel): Nate! You're here! I missed you... Oh sorry, I forgot. I'm staying here while Victor is off earning some money for us... That or he ditched me here because he thought I was crazy as a loon. Heh. Only time will tell, I suppose.
Nathaniel (to Zoe): Heh. Somehow I don't think you're worried he's ditched you. I, uh, I wanted to ask you a couple of things. You got time?
Zoe (to Nathaniel): Yeah, sure. If you don't mind me weeding while you do it. Aun-- Mrs. Longfellow asked me to get this done before lunch.
Nathaniel (to Zoe): No. Course not. Um, first of all... the other day, you mentioned being able to scramble your signal when you skip. Do you think you could teach me how to do that? I'm, uh, I'm not going back to CLANNG... Could come in handy.
Zoe (to Nathaniel): Oh yeah, sure. It's pretty easy. Let me finish up here & then I can show you.
Nathaniel (to Zoe): Thanks. Lemme give you a hand. I, um, I had another question... I've been having all these memories surface, and, um... Do you know why my parents sent me to that pray out the gay camp?
Zoe (to Nathaniel): Oh... In my time, it was because they found a photo of you & your ex-boyfriend, Tim on your phone.
Nathaniel (to Zoe): ...You are totally fucking lying to me, aren't you?
Zoe (to Nathaniel): No, I'm fairly certain that's what you told me but I could be wrong… Or maybe, that's why you ran away.
Nathaniel (to Zoe): Well, that's sure as shit not what I'm having nightmares about, & you said something about expecting me to be more fucked...
Zoe (to Nathaniel): ... Oh, um, in my time... Are you sure you want to hear this?
Nathaniel (to Zoe): ... No. It's alright. That's what I fucking thought. Do me a favor? Wave at Ms. Longfellow over there so she knows I'm not threatening to put your head on a stick or anything.
Zoe (to Nathaniel): Oh okay. (to Persephone) <waves> It's okay, Seph. Honest.
Persephone (to Zoe): Okay. Give a holler if you need anything, I'll be in the kitchen. (to Nathaniel) I'm trusting that you're telling the truth.
Nathaniel (to Persephone): Yes, ma'am. I'm being more honest than Sunday. 'Sides, even when I was with CLANNG, I fucking sucked at interrogations. The only think I was good at was being a dick. Zoe will be fine. Promise.
Persephone (to Nathaniel): Okay.
Nathaniel (to Zoe): I don't think she likes me very much.
Zoe (to Nathaniel): Oh, it's not you. Her family's been terrorized by CLANNG, because of my brother & our parents. She'll get over it... eventually. Besides, at least, it's different here & you guys weren't sharing Aiden... Oh shit. Um, ignore that.
Nathaniel (to Zoe): I know all about CLANNG fucking with her family. Usually they sent me to do the asking. She ain't got any reason to like me.
An hour or so later:
Zoe (to Nathaniel): Okay, I think this garden is as weeded as it's going to get... Come on, let's go sit by the pond & I'll show you the trick.
Nathaniel (to Zoe): Yeah. I think so. Thanks.
