Fiona (to Mrs. Esterly): Here you are, Mrs. Everything you asked for. No strings. No questions.
Mrs. Esterly (to Fiona): Thank you, dear. I hope you didn't have to go out of your way. How are you feeling? Aiden said you got into a spot of trouble.
Fiona (to Mrs. Esterly): I did indeed. I suppose it's too much to ask that something as nasty as Carver was blown to hell. Opened me up like a fish. I'm right as East End rain now. It wasn't any trouble, Mrs. You know all you have to do is ask, Artemis.
Mrs. Esterly (to Fiona): Oh, hee hee hee. Good heavens, dear. No one has called me that in more than two decade. Mrs. Esterly is fine. I retired from that kind of work a long time ago. I was always better as a code cracker and interrogator, you see. I wonder... May I ask you for your opinion on someone? I'll expect the truth from you, of course. What is Poppy Meriwether like?
Fiona (to Mrs. Esterly): The Magpie? She seems to be the right sort, missus. Not like you'd expect from the files. I'll tell you this plain, though... I almost feel sorry for that mechanical monster and her beastie. Almost. The treasury of the Empire couldn't get me to threaten the Magpie's family. She takes that quite personal.
Mrs. Esterly (to Fiona): I understand how she feels, dear. Would it be too much trouble if I called on you again?
Fiona (to Mrs. Esterly): No trouble at all, missus. Least not the type I mind. Chi mi a-rithist thu!
Mrs. Esterly (to Fiona): Oidhche mhath, Fiona.
At Ms. Dvorak's house; New London, Britannia:
Ms. Dvorak (to George): George? Have you gotten that monstrosity put in place?
George (to Ms. Dvorak): Yes, ma'am... But, I don't know how to work it or if it even works for that matter. My da was the inventor in the family, I just dabbled a bit & handed him the tools.
Ms. Dvorak (to George): You don't give yourself enough credit, dear. But no need to worry your head about it. I'll scrounge someone up, just watch and see if I don't. I have a couple ideas. Finish getting it hooked up. I have a call to make.
George (to Ms. Dvorak): Yes, ma'am.
A short time later:
Ms. Dvorak: I haven't used this bloody thing in years. I hope it still works. (to Poppy; phone) Poppy dear, do you hear me?
Poppy (to Ms. Dvorak): Margaux, is that you? Are you alright? Is something wrong, honey?
Ms. Dvorak (to Poppy): Everything's just fine, dear. Well, not fine but you know what I mean. I need a bit of a favor.
Poppy (to Ms. Dvorak): Oh? You know, I'll do anything I can for you, Margaux. However, I can't crossover at the moment, honey.
Ms. Dvorak (to Poppy): No, no. I don't need you, dear. Just that tin-plated gigolo of yours... What was his name? Derby? Kirby? Definitely a Y at the end. On the type of my tongue, dear.
Poppy (to Ms. Dvorak): You mean, Percy? ... Now, why on earth would you be wanting his help with anything, honey? What are you up to, Margaux?
Ms. Dvorak (to Poppy): Never you mind, sugar. Just get him to my house in New London on the double. I need his big brain... among other things.
Poppy (to Ms. Dvorak): Fine. But, this really goes against my better judgement. You're either going to get along famously or one of you will be dead. I'll send him to you as quickly as possible.
Ms. Dvorak (to Poppy): Thank you, dear.
A little while later:
Poppy (to Percy; phone): Percy? I need you, honey.
Percy (to Poppy): I'm sorry, honey, I think you've mistaken me for someone else.
Poppy (to Percy): Seriously, honey, I need your help with something. I'd do it myself but I can't.
Percy (to Poppy): Oh honey, you can do it. Just get on your back, put your heels in the air & think of handbags. It should come quite naturally.
Poppy (to Percy): Stop being an ass, honey. I need you to go see Margaux in New London. She needs your help. Will you do it?
Percy (to Poppy): Oh? Help for Margaux... Well, why didn't you say that in the first place, honey? Of course, I'll help. I'll go right now.
Poppy (to Percy): ... Thank you... And, honey?
Percy (to Poppy): Yes, Poppy?
Poppy (to Percy): I never have to think of handbags, honey. I think you're doing something terribly wrong.
A few hours later, at Mrs. Esterly's apartment; New London, Britannia:
George (to Mrs. Esterly): Hello, Mrs. Esterly. I'm sorry to bother you, but Margaux wanted me to invite you over for drinks this evening.
Mrs. Esterly (to George): Yes, dear. Would you do me the favor of letting Margaux know I'll be along in just a moment. I have to see the boys off.
George (to Mrs. Esterly): Yes, ma'am.
Mrs. Esterly (to George): Thank you, dear. I'll bring you some biscuits when I come along. (to Aiden & Nathaniel)
Aiden (to Mrs. Esterly): I understand, Mrs. Esterly... Was that Fiona I heard earlier?
Mrs. Esterly (to Aiden): Was it? Oh yes! She'd stopped in to check on me. She looks MUCH better, dear. I thought you said she'd been disemboweled.
Aiden (to Mrs. Esterly): That's what I had been told by Kobayashi. Perhaps, I had misheard the seriousness of her injuries or Hari is a much better doctor than I remembered.
Nathaniel (to Mrs. Esterly & Aiden): Heh. Fat chance. The smart money's on Zoe.
Mrs. Esterly (to Nathaniel): What do you mean, dear?
Nathaniel (to Mrs. Esterly & Aiden): Oh. Uh, Zoe can kinda, um, speed someone up along their own timeline. At least, I think that's how it works. She did it to me when I was detoxing... Should... Should I not have mentioned that?
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Wait... So, you're saying she can speed up the healing process?
Nathaniel (to Aiden & Mrs. Esterly): Um, yeah. I think so. That's what it seemed like to me. Victor can probably do it too.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): That's quite impressive. I can think of at least dozen groups that would want to get their hands on that kind of ability. You probably shouldn't go around telling people that sort of thing.
Nathaniel (to Aiden & Mrs. Esterly): I--I don't! Really. I just... I thought you guys already knew. That was stupid. Sorry.
Mrs. Esterly (to Nathaniel): It's alright, dear. You're among friends. Don't fuss. Can you do that sort of thing, Nathaniel?
Nathaniel (to Mrs. Esterly): Heh. Nope, not even a little bit.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): We should get going. (to Mrs. Esterly) We may be back in a day or so, Mrs. Esterly. If not, I'll let you know. Have a nice evening.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Oh yeah. (to Mrs. Esterly) Um, we're headed out. Thank you. You know, for everything. Sorry to kinda drop in outta the blue.
Mrs. Esterly (to Aiden): Of course, dear. Come here and give me a hug. (to Nathaniel) You too, Mr. Jones.
Nathaniel (to Mrs. Esterly): Oh! Um, OK.
Aiden (to Mrs. Esterly): Be safe, Mrs. Esterly.
Mrs. Esterly (to Aiden): Me, dear? Now what kind of trouble could I possibly get into?
