Fiona: Mo chreach! Bloody, fucking, cunting hells...Ouch. No moving quite yet. Bloody body na Galla!
Ariadne (to Fiona): DUDE! What the hell did you do to yourself? You have a 12 inch incision across your gut. Are you insane? Don't make me keep you drugged up until you're better!
Fiona (to Ariadne): Heh... Ouch. Oh fuck me... You might have to, Doctor. Sorry. I'm not very good at laying down with naught to do.
Ariadne (to Fiona): I know it's tough, Fiona, but it's a pretty bad injury. Would you like a book, a crossword magazine or I could bring in a TV?
Fiona (to Ariadne): Well, that would be all fine and good if I could read, Doc.
Ariadne (to Fiona): Wait. What? Are you pulling my leg? ... How do you write the reports if you can't read?
Fiona (to Ariadne): Heh... Rach-air-muin... I've got to stop bloody doing that... You're too quick for me, Wisp. I can read well enough. Chess tried to bring me some magazines from around here... Couldn't understand a damned word in them. Or who was in them. Or rightly why I should care. New time, new place, same boring gossip.
Ariadne (to Fiona): Well then, television it is... I'll bring you some old movies to watch, if you'd like.
Fiona (to Ariadne): Whatever you think won't make me want to shoot the screen or myself, Doc. Promise I'll think harder about staying still.
Ariadne (to Fiona): I'll see what can I do.
Fiona (to Ariadne): Thank you, I... What was I saying? You... you, leam-leat! You upped my dosage on me didn't you? ... Good show, doctor...
Ariadne (to Fiona): Heh. Sorry.
A short time later, at Marlena's apartment, West Piedmont:
Aiden, on the phone (to Yukiko): Kobayashi, do you read me?
Yukiko (to Aiden): ... Yes, Wilkes, I do. What can I do for you?
Aiden (to Yukiko): Could you get word to the Inn that the blacklist has been revoked? Anyone who wants to can return to the empire.
Yukiko (to Aiden): Really!?! That's wonderful to hear.
Aiden (to Yukiko): I certainly thought so. Also, if you & Victor are interested, there's a guest room at my home with your name on it.
Yukiko (to Aiden): Thank you, I'll mention it to him. I should go. (to Victor) Victor? Wake up.
Victor (to Yukiko): Hmm? Good morning.
Yukiko (to Victor): I have news! The blacklist has been lifted, it's safe for me to go back to Britannia. I need to go tell the others.
Victor (to Yukiko): Heh. Alright. Let me get some clothes on and we can go off bearing the good news.
Yukiko (to Victor): Aren't you happy? We can now go to Britannia without me having to hide & your parents can go home.
Victor (to Yukiko): I am happy you're not about to get shot, hanged or arrested. I just, uh... Heh. I liked crewing with you all the time. And Mom and Dad probably can't go anywhere for a while. Not while Mom's still pregnant, and with Zoe's in school...
Yukiko (to Victor): Victor, who said I was going to stop crewing with you?
Victor (to Yukiko): Oh! I assumed you'd want to go back to doing spy work. I KNOW repairing steam line and delivering sick sheep is glamorous...
Yukiko (to Victor): I'm done with all that... I want to keep crewing with you.
Victor (to Yukiko): Really? Excellent! Heh. My current mechanic might be a bit upset, however.
Yukiko (to Victor): Oh? I'm sure I can talk some sense into her. :-)
Victor (to Yukiko): I hope so. She's a little crazy, to be honest. She wanted to eat this squirrel we found on the ship, and you should SEE the kind of company she keeps. Fringe of society types. :-P
Yukiko (to Victor): Heh, I'll show you crazy. :-p
Victor (to Yukiko): Ha ha ha! No! That's against the Queen's Rules, you ruffian! No! Never mind! The position is filled! Thank you for your interest, but I'm keeping my old mechanic, crazy woman!
Yukiko (to Victor): Heehee, don't run away! I like it when you run! :-P
Victor (to Yukiko): Heh. You know, if you don't give me my pants, I'll just take us to see all your spy friends in my undergarments.
Yukiko (to Victor): I doubt anyone would complain. Fiona is constantly asking me for details about what you have under your suits… I usually just tell her another suit. ;-P
Victor (to Yukiko): Heh. Honestly, I don't understand people's obsession with my wardrobe. One, have you met my parents? Two, I like suits. Three, have you met my PARENTS. Heh. Nate thought I was dying the first time he saw me in a t-shirt.
Yukiko (to Victor): Heehee. I think you look quite fetching in a suit. But, I do have to admit that you are damn sexy in a t-shirt & jeans. It's probably simply since you dress so dapper most of the time.
Victor (to Yukiko): Heh. Again, you have met my parents, haven't you? Let's freak out your former co-workers. I'll wear short pants & a tank top... I don't think I actually own a pair of short pants.
Yukiko (to Victor): Heh... I think what you have on is just fine.
Victor (to Yukiko): Heh. I'm only half dressed. Is that the point, or are you just trying to hurry me along?
Yukiko (to Victor): Heehee, I can't help that I like what I like.
Victor (to Yukiko): Heh. Alright, alright. I'm done. Happy? Look, I even have on a t-shirt.
Yukiko (to Victor): ... Huh? ... Sorry. I was busy objectifying you in my mind. :-P
Victor (to Yukiko): Heh. Yes, and I promise I'm properly offended. Oh! Should we tell my mom, or do we think she already knows?
Yukiko (to Victor): We should probably tell her just to be on the safe side.
Victor (to Yukiko): Good idea. Come on.
Meanwhile, at Aiden's house; New London, Britannia:
Mrs. Esterly (to Nathaniel): Is that all you're going to eat, dear?
Nathaniel (to Mrs. Esterly): Heh. Yes, ma'am. Honestly, I'm stuffed. I really couldn't.
Mrs. Esterly (to Nathaniel): As you say, but I expect you to eat more than that at supper. You're nothing but skin and sinew. People will think I'm not feeding you.
Nathaniel (to Mrs. Esterly): Heh. I'll assure anyone who asks it's not from a lack of trying.
An hour or so later, at Poppy & Vincent's apartment, West Piedmont:
Victor (to Poppy): Mom? How are you feeling? We have good news.
Poppy (to Victor): I'm feeling much better, honey. I think your little brother has decided to let me off the hook early today.
Victor (to Poppy): That's good. Yoyo got a transmission from Aiden this morning. He said the blacklisting has been rescinded in Britannia.
Poppy (to Victor): That's wonderful news, honey. I'm sure my little rebellion will be happy with the opportunity to go home... And when I'm allowed to skip again, I'll head right to Bernard & Molly's. I can't wait to see their youngest.
Victor (to Poppy): You totes already knew that, didn't you?
Poppy (to Victor): Heehee, yes, honey. But, I didn't want to disappoint you. You seemed too excited. Your father received word from her Royal Majesty that she sent her condolences for his loss and to let him know that all the "rebels" had been absolved of their crimes & were to be celebrated as 'Heroes of the Empire', both living or dead. I think she may have thrown in a personal invitation to the palace for your father but he wouldn't tell me. He just grinned and walked away... The sneaky bastard.
Victor (to Poppy): Oh God... Dad's not gonna start showing up at royal balls again, is he?
Poppy (to Victor): Knowing your father, honey, quite possibly.
Victor (to Poppy): He's going to milk this for all it's worth. Hopefully he won't get himself arrested this time.
Poppy (to Victor): Well, he'll be in real trouble if that happens, honey. I won't be over there to bail him out. Heh. It'll be up to you.
Victor (to Poppy): Great. If he gets thrown in the brig again, I'm going to leave him there for a few days to teach him a lesson!
Poppy (to Victor): Heehee. Good luck with that, honey. If he hasn't learned his lesson by now, I doubt you teaching it to him is going to help. Besides, he could get out of the brig easily, if he wanted. He enjoys the scandal & attention too much.
Victor (to Poppy): Heh. No kidding. I think Yoyo wants to pass along the good news to the lot over at the Inn. Is that alright?
Poppy (to Victor): Yes, of course it is, honey. I was going to waddle over that way shortly, but that will save me the trouble... How are you handling the news?
Victor (to Poppy): I'm doing fine, Mom. Yoyo said she still wants to crew with me, so that's a bit of a relief.
Poppy (to Victor): Oh well, I'm glad to hear that, honey. You make a good team.
Victor (to Poppy): Heh, Me too.
Several hours later, at Mrs. Esterly's apartment; New London, Britannia:
Mrs. Esterly (to Ms. Dvorak): Oh! Hello, dear. Come inside. What can I get you? Have you come here about that young man you've picked up?
Ms. Dvorak (to Mrs. Esterly): Yes, dear. I think it's time for your gentle touch. I can tell he knows something, but he's not budging.
Mrs. Esterly (to Ms. Dvorak): Oh yes. Of course, dear. Would you like me to come now?
Ms. Dvorak (to Mrs. Esterly): Whenever it's convenient, dear. He probably could use a day of rest. :-)
Mrs. Esterly (to Ms. Dvorak): Hee hee. Oh, I don't doubt that, dear. I can be there tomorrow. Shall I bring a clootie dumpling when I call?
Ms. Dvorak (to Mrs. Esterly): That would be lovely.... Would that be for me or my guest, sugar?
Mrs. Esterly (to Ms. Dvorak): Hee hee. It will depend on who needs it more, I should imagine.
Ms. Dvorak (to Mrs. Esterly): Heehee, you devil woman.
Mrs. Esterly (to Ms. Dvorak): Hee hee hee. Oh, you know that kind of flattery won't get you anywhere with me, darling. I'll see you tomorrow with the kit.
Ms. Dvorak (to Mrs. Esterly): Until then, dear.
