Zoe: Ummm. Hello? Anybody home? Mrs. Esterly? I'm sorry to call so early. I got a message that someone needed a lift to West Piedmont.
Mrs. Esterly (to Zoe): Hello, sweetie! Come inside. Would you like a cuppa or something sweet? I'm afraid we had to take charge of one of your classmates. A mercenary grabbed him from your school. I'm sorry to make you come all the way here, dear.
Zoe (to Mrs. Esterly): A cup of tea & a sweet would be wonderful, Mrs. Esterly. Thank you... So, it's one of my classmates? That's weird.
Joseph (to Zoe): Hey Scout. Come to bring me home?
Zoe (to Joseph): Joseph!?! ... Well, this explains a lot.
Mrs. Esterly (to Zoe): Here you are, Zoe. (to Joseph) Joseph, would you like something before you go as well?
Joseph (to Mrs. Esterly): Yes, please. I'm going to really miss your cooking, Mrs. E. (to Zoe) What does it explain?
Zoe (to Joseph): Oh... nothing important. It just seems like skippers tend to gravitate towards each other or to certain areas with natural occurring portals.
Mrs. Esterly (to Joseph): Hee hee. Aren't you sweet? Anytime you visit New London, dear, you're more than welcome to stop in for a bite.
Joseph (to Zoe): Oh. (to Mrs. Esterly): Thank you again for everything.
Mrs. Esterly (to Joseph): It was a pleasure, dear.
Nathaniel (to Zoe): Heh. I thought I heard you down here, short stuff. (to Joseph) Come to take home Crazy Boy Joe here?
Zoe (to Nathaniel): Yeppers. He hasn't been causing you too much trouble, has he? :-P
Nathaniel (to Zoe): Fuck yeah. He was running around New London yesterday telling people I brought him here for a Wild West Circus. Cause I fucking look like the cowboy type, don't I?
Joseph (to Nathaniel & Zoe): Hey! Right fucking here.
Nathaniel (to Joseph): I know you're right there. That's why I'm saying it. :-P
Joseph (to Nathaniel): And yeah, you look like a cowboy... We've all seen 'Brokeback Mountain'. :-P
Zoe (to Joseph): ... I am so going to leave you here.
Joseph (to Zoe): Don't you fucking dare. My mom would miss me... Heh. when she finally realizes I'm missing.
Nathaniel (to Joseph): Heh. See you later, Joe. (to Zoe) And you, gimme a fucking hug! Miss you, shortie. Tell everyone I said hi, OK?
Joseph (to Nathaniel): Bye, Nate. Thanks for your help.
Zoe (to Nathaniel): I will. I miss you, too. Heck, even Mars misses you. I hope you're coming home soon.
Nathaniel (to Zoe): Yeah. Me too. (to Joseph) Later. Thanks for yesterday. And, uh, sorry.
Joseph (to Nathaniel): For what?
Nathaniel (to Joseph): Heh. For nothing obviously. Don't worry about it.
Zoe (to Joseph): All set?
Joseph (to Zoe): Yeah. (to Nathaniel & Mrs. Esterly) Bye. Thanks again.
Zoe (to Joseph): Here we go!
Mrs. Esterly (to Nathaniel): Speaking of yesterday, dear. Sit down. You're eating something.
Ms. Dvorak (to Mrs. Esterly & Nathaniel): Oh, did I just miss one of the Potters? Damn. Hello, Agatha dear... And, you must be Nate. I'm sorry to intrude so early but I had some questions.
Mrs. Esterly (to Ms. Dvorak): I'm afraid you did. Have a seat. Do you want a little something stronger than sugar in your tea, dear? (to Nathaniel) Nathaniel, this is Ms. Dvorak.
Nathaniel (to Ms. Dvorak & Mrs. Esterly): Oh! Um, yeah. I've heard about you. Nice to meet you, ma'am.
Ms. Dvorak (to Mrs. Esterly & Nathaniel): I apologize for the trouble with Delphine the other day. I had no idea she was rounding up skippers for Hiiri. That's a risk you take when you work with mercenaries, I suppose. They're only as loyal as the money in their pockets allow them to be.
Nathaniel (to Ms. Dvorak & Mrs. Esterly): Oh. Yeah... If there's anything I can do to help, I'm more than willing.
Ms. Dvorak (to Nathaniel): Oh good. I have a strange question... Who might Hiiri refer to as a chihuahua or munchkin?
Nathaniel (to Ms. Dvorak): ... Shit. I dunno. My uncle maybe? I mean, I know he's short, and she doesn't like him.
Ms. Dvorak (to Nathaniel): And, if it was plural? Would you think it was referring to Poppy as well?
Nathaniel (to Ms. Dvorak): Yeah. I'd guess so. I mean, they're both kinda tiny. Especially Aunt Poppy.
Ms. Dvorak (to Nathaniel): Hmmm, just as I suspected. One last question. How long ago was your spot of trouble back home, dear?
Mrs. Esterly (to Ms. Dvorak): Heh... Which spot of trouble? According to my folks, I was a pain in the ass from the beginning.
Ms. Dvorak (to Mrs. Esterly): Thank you for the tea, Agatha. It's perfect. (to Nathaniel) The first time you were institutionalized, dear.
Mrs. Esterly (to Ms. Dvorak): You're very welcome.
Nathaniel (to Ms. Dvorak): Oh. Yeah. Course. Hiiri was involved in that. Right. It was a little over three years ago.
Ms. Dvorak (to Nathaniel): Oh dear... (to Mrs. Esterly) Do you think 3 skippers would be enough to jump back that far or would it require 4? We may need to find someone to ask.
Mrs. Esterly (to Ms. Dvorak): I'm not sure, dear. Zoe and Victor appear to be able to do it on their own, and take someone along with them. But, I suspect they may be special cases. I would imagine ideally she'll need 4, but she may try to make due.
Ms. Dvorak (to Mrs. Esterly): Which would certainly explain why she was eager to get her hands on Zoe...
Nathaniel (to Ms. Dvorak & Mrs. Esterly): What are you talking about? What's going on?
Ms. Dvorak (to Nathaniel): Sorry dear. Did anyone ever tell you about Vincent's sister?
Nathaniel (to Ms. Dvorak & Mrs. Esterly): Emma? Yeah. I know Hiiri's kinda based on her. So is Zoe.
Ms. Dvorak (to Nathaniel): Yes, yes. We all know that. Do you know what Hiiri tried to do to her? Why her daughter was born over here? I'm guessing no. Hiiri moved Emma five years in the past on this side, in hopes that she could get to Vincent before she did. She couldn't kill her because she was worried that it would cause her to cease to exist... Sadly, for her it didn't work that way & she couldn't crossover to West Piedmont once she did. Time Paradox or some such scientific mumbo jumbo. It goes right over my head, dear.
Nathaniel (to Ms. Dvorak & Mrs. Esterly): Yeah. Same here. Well, thank fucking god for that. So, she wanted to kill him before Emma found him, and he found out he was a skipper, right? No. Wait. She couldn't do that or she wouldn't be built. I don't get it. Why would she... Did SHE wanna fucking raise him?!
Ms. Dvorak (to Mrs. Esterly & Nathaniel): Give that boy a kewpie doll! Yes, you are absolutely spot on and I think she's trying it again. Only, this time with you, dear.
Nathaniel (to Ms. Dvorak & Mrs. Esterly): WHAT?! That is just fucking... Why the fuck would she wanna do that? She doesn't even know me!
Ms. Dvorak (to Nathaniel): Oh, but I think she does. (to Mrs. Esterly) Agatha dear, could you please tell him what we discovered?
Mrs. Esterly (to Nathaniel): Here. Drink this, Nathaniel. It appears that Hiiri has been watching you and your family for some time, dear. Much longer than just three years. I'm sure she suspected the skipping gene would be genetic and wanted to keep an eye out to see if any of you developed any talents along those lines. I'm sure it was also for her own amusement. She would have all of Emma's memories, you see, and--I'm only speculating, of course--but I wouldn't imagine she had much love for your grandfather, dear. She remembers how Emma discovered your uncle, you see. And your grandfather, and then your father, were both public figures, dear. Easy to spy on. We believe she was the source that leaked the info about your grandfather that caused all those scandals.
Nathaniel (to Mrs. Esterly & Ms. Dvorak): ...Yeah. I kinda suspected that already. Christ... But why ME? I'm not even a very good skipper.
Ms. Dvorak (to Nathaniel): But, you could be, dear. If you had the right teacher & the time to learn.
Mrs. Esterly (to Nathaniel & Ms. Dvorak): And I do hate to say this, but we think she replaced your grandfather with an automaton over a year ago. He was behind the scenes pushing your family to institutionalize you, no doubt. She's been doing a lot work behind the scenes. Manipulation the rift between you and your family to grow, making sure you were vulnerable. That man who offered to help you get to New York when you ran away? He was one of her agents, dear. As were some of employees at the State Hospital, and a minister from your father's church. The reason you're not with her now is because you stopped at your aunt & uncle's.
Ms. Dvorak (to Nathaniel & Mrs. Esterly): She hadn't planned for that. She didn't know you even knew about him.
Nathaniel (to Ms. Dvorak & Mrs. Esterly): Yeah. My parents mentioned him occasionally. Mostly blaming him for all the bad shit in the press... And I can do a fucking internet search. This is... This is fucking crazy! So, now what? What's she doing now? Why is three years ago important? Is she just gonna snatch me outta the hospital or something?
Ms. Dvorak (to Nathaniel): No, dear. Three years ago, the Potters were based on this side. If something were to happen to them over here, it would be quite some time before anyone noticed back home in West Piedmont, however lots of wheels would be set in motion...
Nathaniel (to Ms. Dvorak & Mrs. Esterly): Oh my god. And then if she wants to get her hands on me, she knows where I'm gonna be... Shit! And Zoe!
Ms. Dvorak (to Nathaniel): Yes, that's what we're thinking, dear. Now, this is all just speculation but after Delphine told me about the machine that Hiiri has & her need for skippers to power it. I'm fairly certain we're correct.
Nathaniel (to Ms. Dvorak & Mrs. Esterly): So, what do we do? I mean, she doesn't have all the skippers she needs, right? She... She can't DO this.
Ms. Dvorak (to Nathaniel): I don't know, dear. That's what we need to find out... (to Mrs. Esterly) Agatha, I have a friend of Poppy's working on a machine of our own. One that will hopefully neutralize Hiiri's however, we need answers to a few questions regarding the device that she's using. Do you think you can do something about it? I wrote the questions down.
Mrs. Esterly (to Ms. Dvorak): Of course I can, dear. Who do I need to speak to?
Ms. Dvorak (to Mrs. Esterly): There's a lab assistant of Maladori's that's just returned to the city. Name of Redken. I think he'd be a good start.
Mrs. Esterly (to Ms. Dvorak): Of course. I think I'm going to ask Fiona to help me. Hee hee hee. She's been hanging about looking for something to do. Oh, don't worry, dear. I won't have her help with the question asking.
Nathaniel (to Ms. Dvorak & Mrs. Esterly): Is there anything I can do?
Ms. Dvorak (to Nathaniel): I don't rightly know, dear. What can you do? (to Mrs. Esterly) Good god, that woman isn't very good with subtle.
Nathaniel (to Ms. Dvorak & Mrs. Esterly): ...Not much. Cook a handful of things. Open portals under extreme duress. Sorry.
Mrs. Esterly (to Ms. Dvorak): Hee hee hee. Oh good heavens, no. But that's rather her specialty, isn't it?
Ms. Dvorak (to Nathaniel): Don't worry, dear, if we have need of you, we know where to find you. (to Mrs. Esterly) Heehee, it'll be just like old times. Won't it, dear?
Nathaniel (to Ms. Dvorak & Mrs. Esterly): Oh. Yeah. I'm gonna... I'm gonna go grab a cigarette.
Mrs. Esterly (to Ms. Dvorak): Oh, good heavens no. We're much smarter now, dear. Hee hee hee. Oh! I do admit to being a bit giddy. We haven't had a good adventure in ages.
A short time later, in the garden:
George (to Nathaniel): Need a light?
Nathaniel (to George): Oh, uh, yeah. Thanks. Here to see Ms. Dvorak?
George (to Nathaniel): Heh. I drove the horseless carriage. She said I needed to know how to drive the bloody thing, it might come in handy. She's been teaching me a bunch of things.
Nathaniel (to George): Yeah... It's not a bad idea to learn as much as you can. And Ms. Dvorak is a sneaky bastard, so she can teach you a lot.
George (to Nathaniel): Heh. You're probably right.
Nathaniel (to George): About her being a sneaky bastard? Heh. No shit I'm fucking right. You don't wanna end up fucking useless...
At Renfield's, West Piedmont:
Seychella (to Oliver): Sooo, I'm curious. What do you do for fun? You always seem to be here... when I'm here to work, when I stop by after class for a "I need to study late" coffee... there has to be SOMEthing you do other than work here and make coffee...
Oliver (to Seychella): Oh. Well, not really. But I really don't mind! I did try to ask someone who worked here out on a date once.
Seychella (to Oliver): REEEally... from the "tried" I take it that didn't work out as you'd hoped.
Oliver (to Seychella): Oh. I wasn't expecting anything, but no. It didn't work out. I'm not very good at dating. Neither was he, of course. So I thought together we could maybe learn how to do that, but I made him a bit too nervous, I think.
Seychella (to Oliver): oh... OOH! Wow. I'm sorry, I didn't realize that... uh.. nevermind. SO, there has to be something you like to do. Read, listen to music... go to the museum... watch movies.. something?
Oliver (to Seychella): Oh. I'm not gay. I don't really prefer men to women or women to men, for that matter. I do read and watch movies rather extensively.
Seychella (to Oliver): So what... you're a "true neutral" in your sexuality? That's... different.
River (to Seychella & Oliver): Heh. Are you grilling Oliver on his dating life?
Seychella: Hello foot.. have you met mouth? Of course you have... (to River & Oliver) I... no... just. I was just curious! Oh, hey, look... we're out of milk up here. I'm... going to the cooler.
Oliver (to Seychella): Oh no. I think we have plenty of milk for the... (to River) Why on earth did she run off?
River (to Oliver): Fuck. Sorry about that. I didn't mean to interrupt. I was just bringing up the scones you asked for.
Oliver (to River): Thank you. Did I say something strange?
River (to Oliver): You're fine. I don't think it was you, Oliver. Is there anything else you need up here?
Oliver (to River): No, I think we're alright. Thank you, River.
River (to Oliver): You're welcome. Back to the coal mine.
A moment later, in the kitchen:
Seychella: Crap... we had plenty of milk up there. What can I bring back with me so I don't look like a total moron...
River (to Seychella): Sey? Are you hiding in here? I'm sorry I interrupted earlier.
Seychella (to River): … I might be. Is it that obvious? I get flustered easily. I.. well.. didn't want it to look like. I'm not sure what it looked like actually.
River (to Seychella): Heh. It just looked like you were talking to Oliver. I really am sorry I flustered you... You know? If you want to ask him out you're going to have to be more straight-forward. He's not very good with the subtle hinting. In fact, he's downright terrible at it.
Seychella (to River): Yeah, so I'd noticed. But, I was trying to use that to my advantage, however awkwardly. I'm not sure I want to actually ask him out... but I DO want to find out more about him. He's... very different from anyone I've ever met before. Figured once I found out more about him then I'd decide.
River (to Seychella): Heh. Fair enough... I do know that he really likes old movies, especially anything with the Marx Brothers.
Seychella (to River): Huh… wouldn't have pegged him for someone that would enjoy pun humor. Here, help me figure out what I can bring up front so I don't look like a complete idiot for running back here.
River (to Seychella): Heh. No problem. Take this sleeve of to go cups & napkins. That should help.
Seychella (to River): Thanks... I think I've reached a manageable embarrassment level now.
River (to Seychella): Heh. You'll do fine.
A minute later:
Seychella (to Oliver): Sorry 'bout that. I… uh… brought these once I remembered we did have milk.
Oliver (to Seychella): Oh! We needed more napkins. Thank you!
Seychella (to Oliver): You're welcome. So… Ya know, if ya ever wanna hang out outside of work, just let me know. Or not. Whatever works for you.
Oliver (to Seychella): I wouldn't mind that. What would you like to do?
Seychella (to Oliver): Well, the film students at the college are holding a film festival down at the student union next week. I think its gonna be mostly old movies and some of their own. Their 'influences' and then their work. So, it shouldn't be COMPLETELY terrible and "avant garde". I never expect anything intelligible from student work.
Oliver (to Seychella): Oh! I would like that. It's always very interesting to see how people with more ambition and talent than experience interpret their influences. I would like that.
Seychella (to Oliver): Okay... so. It's not this Friday, but next. I think it gets started at 6 or so... I'll find out for sure and let you know.
Oliver (to Seychella): their influences. I would like that.
Onboard the Airship Holden:
Delphine: Where am I!?! … Oh, merde!
Starling (to Delphine): Miss Hiiri will be with you shortly, miss. Don't bother to try to escape. We've made some improvements since you were last held here.
Delphine (to Starling): Do I really have a choice?
Starling (to Delphine): Not at all.
A couple hours later, at Aiden's house; New London, Britannia:
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Oh shit! Hey. I didn't hear you come outside.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): So, Mrs. Esterly told me what happened with Ms. Dvorak. Are you okay?
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Yeah, I think so... Shit no. I'm kinda fucking freaked.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): I'm sorry, Nate. Come here.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): With fucking pleasure. I love you...
Aiden (to Nathaniel): I love you, too... It's going to be okay.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): God, I fucking hope so. If Hiiri goes back in time and grabs me when I show up at my aunt and uncle's...
Aiden (to Nathaniel): ... I probably shouldn't be encouraging this sort of thing, but have you thought about talking to Victor & Zoe?
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Pfft! Yeah. What are we gonna do? Go back in time and say, "Hi. You don't know me, but I'm your nephew. Please don't get shot by a crazy, fucking robot?" ...Wait. That might actually work.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Heh... It's been known to work before.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Alright... I'll see if I can get a hold of my cousins. Would you... Do you mind hanging out with me for the rest of today? Or at least until I can reach Zoe and Victor?
Aiden (to Nathaniel): I wouldn't mind at all. It would actually be my pleasure.
A few hours later:
Zoe (to Nathaniel): Nate? I got your message. What's going on?
Nathaniel (to Zoe): Hey. Shit... I'm not sure how to tell you this. It's fucking Hiiri. Mrs. Esterly and Ms. Dvorak think... They think she's gonna try to kill your mom and dad. And make a grab for us.
Zoe (to Nathaniel): What!?! When? How?
Nathaniel (to Zoe): Three years in the past. She's been working on a time-traveling... THING. I'm guessing it's not a fucking DeLorean. She needs four skippers to power the thing. She has three.
Zoe (to Nathaniel): Shit… That's not going to stop her for long. Have you told Victor?
Nathaniel (to Zoe): No. He's been out of range for a couple of days. That's why we called you to pick up Joseph.
Zoe (to Nathaniel): That's probably for the best. Do we know if she's tried it yet?
Nathaniel (to Zoe): I don't think so. Ms Dvorak thinks that she's waiting on the last skipper. But they don't think she'll wait long.
Zoe (to Nathaniel): No, she probably won't… How you holding up?
Nathaniel (to Zoe): Fucking freaked. How about you?
Zoe (to Nathaniel): Freaked but also kinda relieved that I now know why she wanted me. Doesn't make me any less angry or freaked, though.
Nathaniel (to Zoe): I don't think that's the only reason she wants you... Ms Dvorak said that she wanted to grab your dad after he ran away and fucking raise him. They think she's trying to pull the same shit with me and you...
Zoe (to Nathaniel): Oh yeah, I remember that... We can't let that happen.
Nathaniel (to Zoe): Aiden suggested we go back ourselves and warn your folks.
Zoe (to Nathaniel): Yeah, we should… And, we should go soon.
Nathaniel (to Zoe): C'mere!
Zoe (to Nathaniel): Huh? Oh! God, it must be bad if you're giving me a hug on your own.
Nathaniel (to Zoe): Nah. I mean, I've hugged you at least like four times on my own... It'll be fine. We'll warn your folks, and then... It'll be fine.
Zoe (to Nathaniel): Yeah... You wanna come home with me & see them? I should be getting back.
Nathaniel (to Zoe): ...Yeah. Kinda. Do you think it'll be alright?
Zoe (to Nathaniel): I think one night won't make a difference. Besides, Mom's so pregnant & I know she'd love to see you.
Nathaniel (to Zoe): Yeah. Gimme a second. I wanna go say goodbye to Aiden.
Zoe (to Nathaniel): Okay.
A moment later:
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Hey. I just told Zoe what's going on. I, um, I was thinking about going to visit my aunt and uncle. Just for a night.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): That's quite understandable. I'll miss you but I think I can handle one night. Besides, I could use a night to recuperate... You wear me out. ;-)
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Oh. Um... Heh. You complaining?
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Good god, I should say not... Be safe. I love you.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Heh. Good. I love you too. I'll be careful, and I'll see you soon.
A few moments later:
Nathaniel (to Zoe): Ready to go whenever you are, shortcake.
Zoe (to Nathaniel): Okay... Hold my hand...
A moment later, at Poppy & Vincent's apartment, West Piedmont:
Nathaniel (to Zoe): Whoof! Heh. Haven't done that in a while.
Zoe (to Nathaniel): Yeah... It looks like they might be in bed already. Wanna crash in Victor's room? I can bring you back in the morning.
Nathaniel (to Zoe): Yeah... That'll be fine. God, I'm really tired all of a sudden. Heh. I think I've been running on pure stress all fucking day. Night.
Zoe (to Nathaniel): Good night.
