Nathaniel (to Aiden): Hey. Uh, if you're up to it, if you're not busy, I mean, um, would you mind showing me around the city a little bit?
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Oh yes, of course. It looks like a good day for it. Did you sleep okay? Want some coffee? There's plenty.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Yes! Coffee would be amazing. I had some--some weird fucking dreams last night, but I'm alright.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Heh. Want to talk about them? Or are they the kind that are not for public consumption?
Nathaniel (to Aiden): No! ...Well, not all of them, anyway. Most of them were just... like I said. Weird. They're like the ones I used to get before, when I didn't know I was a skipper and shit. They're all jumbled up and the imagery makes no sense. I think... I think my brain was trying to process everything, figure out what the fuck Hiiri's hard-on is for me. It wasn't later they... Nothing. Never mind. They got better after that.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Oh? Well, now I'm curious. ;-P
Nathaniel (to Aiden): What? No! Fuck off! It was... It was nothing! Just a dream.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): So, it wasn't about me, huh?
Nathaniel (to Aiden): I didn't say that! ...It was... I mean, we were talking about the guy Hiiri had stashed in the hospital that looked like you, and Seph had made some comment about... Just never you mind!
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Oh? So, you were thinking about two of me... I'm both flattered & concerned. Heh. I'm just teasing. More coffee?
Nathaniel (to Aiden): ...Yes, please. I told you it was just a stupid dream.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Heh. It must have been quite terrible if you want to get out of the house & go sightseeing. Speaking of which, anything in particular you'd like to see? I could introduce you to my cousin, Stephen... We've been told that we look a lot alike. :-P ... You know, it's not nice to punch your boyfriend in the arm. Heh.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Oh my god... You are so... You are never gonna let me live this down, are you?
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Only for the rest of the day. I promise... Are you ready to go?
Nathaniel (to Aiden): I dunno. Are you sure you don't want to tease me some more? :-P
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Hmmm, that is very tempting. But no, I think I'm good. Besides, it's not like I haven't had dreams of that sort myself.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): You've had sexy dreams about yourself? Man, I hate to tell you, but that's kinda weird.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Heh. About you, you smart aleck. Especially, when I was in the bunker & you were home at your aunt & uncle's.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Heh. Yeah. That was tough, not seeing you, not knowing for sure if you were alright or not... I know it probably would've made life a lot easier on both of us, but I'm glad I didn't stay in the hospital.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): I'd rather be here with you dealing with this shit together than apart worrying about you on your own in that terrible place. Now, let's go outside and enjoy the day.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Yeah. Come here. Before we have to head out into the world and pretend to be upstanding, hetero citizens...
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Heh. I think I can deal with that.
A few hours later, at the Longfellow Inn; New London, Britannia:
Victor (to Persephone): Are you ready to go? Have you said all your goodbyes and threatened your brothers?
Persephone (to Victor): Yes, all except Charles... I was thinking I would just skip that one.
Victor (to Persephone): Seph... We're not taking off until you say goodbye. You can make it quick, but you need to at least say it.
Persephone (to Victor): Fine... I'll be right back.
A few minutes later, in the kitchen:
Persephone (to Charles): Charles? I'm heading off with Victor. I'm not sure when I'll be back. So, um... goodbye.
Charles (to Persephone): Oh! Yes. Mrs. Longfellow told me you were leaving today. Hold on one moment, please...
Persephone (to Charles): Oh, alright... What is it?
Charles (to Persephone): We put together a basket for you, Mr. Potter, and Ms. Kobayashi. Here you are. It isn't much, but... Well. Please be safe.
Persephone (to Charles): Thank you very much, Charles. It was a very nice gesture and we will do our best to be safe. Goodbye.
Charles (to Persephone): Good bye, Miss Persephone.
George (to Charles): Did you scare off the pretty girl, Mister Turner? I was hoping for an introduction.
Charles (to George): I didn't run her off. I don't think anyone could force any member of the Longfellow family to do anything they didn't want to. She's left for a job. What can I do for you, Mr. Fitzroy? I thought you were returning to Liverpool.
George (to Charles): I did & then, I was sent back by Mister Smith. It seems he wanted me to look for someone that he thinks is hiding out here in New London. So, I need to spend a couple days here pretending that I've been searching. Have any plans for the next few days, Mister Turner? I mean, I assume you don't, now that your lady is gone.
Charles (to George): I'm still have work to which I'm expected to attend, Mr. Fitzroy... Who is Achilles looking for?
George (to Charles): Apparently, there's a sixteen year old girl who's father owed him a lot of money & when he died he left everything to her. He heard she was living with an elderly grandfather & wanted me to visit them... But, it's a pointless trip. His information is wrong & very out of date. But, I'm certainly not going to tell him that.
Charles (to George): No, that seems like a dangerous proposition. I'm glad he won't be able to find the young lady, however.
George (to Charles): Heh... He's just looking in the wrong place. I should let you get back to work, Mister Turner.
Charles: What an odd young lady. (to George) You're quite right. Good day, Mr. Fitzroy.
A few moments later:
Victor (to Persephone): All set?
Persephone (to Victor): Yes. Here. Carry this basket, so I can get my stuff.
Victor (to Persephone): Ooo! Scones!
Persephone (to Victor): You have to share them with Yoyo. I just realized something... You're going to make me cook, aren't you?
Victor (to Persephone): Heh. I won't MAKE you cook, but you'll probably want to after a few days worth of our cooking.
Persephone (to Victor): Heehee, Fair enough. We may want to swing by the market so I can get some spices & herbs before we leave.
Victor (to Persephone): Spices? What are those? Heh. I'm just kidding. We have to get supplies soon at any rate.
Persephone (to Victor): Heehee. I'm so glad to be coming with you guys... I hope Yoyo doesn't mind me horning in on your alone time.
Several hours later, onboard the Airship Holden:
Carver: Patience, Other Carver. Remember we...learned patience? We'll get to play soon enough.
Hiiri (to Carver): I have need of you... If you're able.
Carver (to Hiiri): Yes, mistress. We're...certainly willing to try. We're not as fast as we...used to be, miss, but we are willing.
Hiiri (to Carver): I need you to find me the daughter of an inventor named George Thomas Franklin before Achilles Smith does... She has something I need to finish this stage of my plan. You can take your time but not too much.
Carver (to Hiiri): Of course, mistress. We...understand. How much are we...permitted to play with her, miss?
Hiiri (to Carver): As much as you like, as long as she tells me what I want to know.
Carver (to Hiiri): Very good, miss. Where should we...start our search for her, miss?
Hiiri (to Carver): Well, that's the difficult part... New London. But I have faith you'll figure out something.
Carver (to Hiiri): Of course, mistress. We...always do. Do you have a tintype of her, miss? We...should know who we seek, miss.
Hiiri (to Carver): The only tintype we could find is a few years old. Here.
Carver (to Hiiri): Very good, miss. We...won't let you down. We...will find her and bring her, or the information you see, to you, mistress.
Hiiri (to Carver): Thank you, my sweet Carver... Oh. I clearly need to go yell at the tech people. My system is still behaving oddly.
Carver (to Hiiri): As you say, miss. We...won't let you down, mistress.
Hiiri (to Carver): Good. Go see Maladori & get a travel kit for yourself.
Carver (to Hiiri): ...Yes, mistress.
