Zoe (to Colin): Colin! Come here, you sexy, sexy thing! I've missed you. I'm sorry I've been out sick for so long. I had the flu.
Colin (to Zoe): Wow! Heh. I think I almost died from lack of oxygen just now.
Ophelia (to Zoe & Colin): Heehee, get a room, you two.
Zoe (to Colin): Heehee. Sorry... I just missed you a bunch. (to Ophelia) ... Oh... Hello, Ophelia.
Colin (to Zoe): It's alright. It's the way I always secretly hoped I would die.
Ophelia (to Zoe): Hi, Zoe... Are you mad at me?
Zoe (to Ophelia): What? ... No, not at all. I'm still a bit worn out from the flu, that's all.
Ophelia (to Zoe): Oh... I hope you feel better. I gotta run. I need to put the finishing touches on my presentation. See ya!
Zoe (to Ophelia): Bye.
Colin (to Zoe): How are you feeling?
Zoe (to Colin): Much better now that I've gotten to see you... Um, we are still dating right? You're not dating Ophelia or anything?
Colin (to Zoe): What? Of course we're still dating! Do you really think I would dump you just because you got sick?
Zoe (to Colin): Oh no, of course not. That's not why... Heh. Nevermind. It's a long story. I'll tell you about it later.
Colin (to Zoe): Man, am I glad to see you. It feels like FOREVER. I didn't text you too much when you were sick, did I? Dad said I was being way too clingy, and that you'd start thinking I was a weirdo stalker or something.
Zoe (to Colin): Oh no. I didn't mind. It was nice. I hope I wasn't being too weird. I was a little out of it. Mom said I was having some very odd fever dreams & that I kept asking her weird questions.
Colin (to Zoe): Heh. You did send me a couple of, um, kinda saucy texts. And threatened to kick my "fine mahogany ass" if I dumped you. Were you watching blacksploitation flicks or something while you were sick?
Zoe (to Colin): I did!?! I'm sorry... Are you pulling my leg?
Colin (to Zoe): Here. See for yourself.
Zoe (to Colin): Oh god... I'm so sorry... Okay, this is going to sound absolutely crazy... Hiiri fucked with the timeline & made it so that my parents died 3 years ago. Which meant that I never came here & well, you hooked up with Ophelia. I came to see you & it was just awful... Nate & I went back and fixed it, but I think the whole thing still bothered me. I'm sorry.
Colin (to Zoe): Holy cow... Wow... That's... Wow. You and Nate went back and kept your parents from being KILLED? How did you manage that? You ARE a damn superhero, aren't you?
Zoe (to Colin): ... No. I don't have a costume, or a cool name, or anything... So, you don't think I'm crazy?
Colin (to Zoe): No. Well, MAYBE, but not because of this. You do this thing where you kinda dance back and forth when you're worried about how I'm gonna react, so I don't think you're lying. Plus, with all the nutty stuff you've shown me and TOLD, I'd be an idiot if I didn't believe you... I was dating Ophelia? Seriously?!
Zoe (to Colin): Yeah... I almost burst into tears in front of you both. It was awful.
Colin (to Zoe): ... That must have been awful. I'm sorry Alternate dimension Me is an idiot.
Zoe (to Colin): Heehee, you're not an idiot in any dimension... Shit! We should probably get to class.
Colin (to Zoe): Yeah. Come on! I'm SO glad you're back. If I had to spend another lunch period listening to Jess bitch and moan over Jacob, I think I may have gone mad.
Zoe (to Colin): Heehee... Jacob? Is that her newest crush?
Colin (to Zoe): YES. Don't worry. You'll hear ALL ABOUT him at lunch, I'm sure.
Zoe (to Colin): Heehee. Lucky me.
A few hours later, at the Longfellow Inn; New London, Britannia:
Joseph (to Charles): Um, excuse me? ... I'm looking for Persephone. Is she here?
Charles (to Joseph): No, sir. I'm afraid she's not. Is there something with which I can help you?
Joseph (to Charles): Oh no, I guess not. She mentioned that I should stop by and see her sometime... It's no big deal... Thanks, anyway.
Charles (to Joseph): Oh. Ah. Yes, I understand. I... Ms Persephone would be very cross with me if I didn't instruct you where to find her, I'm sure. One moment, please.
Joseph (to Charles): Okay... Thanks.
A moment later:
Charles (to Joseph): Here you are. She's staying with Mrs. Esterly at this address. I'm... I'm sure she'll be very glad to see you sir.
Joseph (to Charles): Thanks, I do appreciate it...Oh hey, I'm sorry. I don't know your name. I'm Joseph.
Charles (to Joseph): ... I'm Charles Turner. I-I work here in the kitchen. It's very nice to have made your acquaintance, Mr. Joseph.
Joseph (to Charles): Oh yeah. Nice to meet you too, Charles. Thank you again for the address. I should probably go over there now. Don't want to be in your way. You look like you've got a lot to do.
Charles (to Joseph): Yes, sir. I do. I really should get back to work. Please pass along my regards to Ms Persephone.
A short time later, at Aiden's house; New London, Britannia:
Joseph (to Mrs. Esterly): Hi there, Mrs. E.! What are you cooking in here? It smells delicious.
Mrs. Esterly (to Joseph): Oh! Joseph! Come inside. I'm making a brisket. Hee hee. I don't suppose I can convince you to stay for supper?
Joseph (to Mrs. Esterly): Heh. If you insist, I'm sure I could be persuaded to stay. Is Persephone around?
Mrs. Esterly (to Joseph): Hee hee. I should have known you weren't here just for my cooking. Let me get you some tea, dear. Persephone is in the garden.
Joseph (to Mrs. Esterly): Oh, thank you. I can just wait here if she's busy.
Mrs. Esterly (to Joseph): Don't be silly, dear. I'm sure she'll be thrilled to see you. Hee hee. Don't worry. I'll be fussing over you soon enough.
Joseph (to Mrs. Esterly): Heh. Okay, okay. I'm going, I'm going.
A moment later, in the garden:
Joseph (to Persephone): Uh, hey there, Persephone. I hope I didn't come by at a bad time. I didn't really know how to get in touch with you cuz of the whole living in an alternate dimension shit.
Persephone (to Joseph): Heehee. It's okay, Joseph. It's very nice to see you again. Here. Hold this... Heehee, are you afraid of snakes? A tough guy like you... It's just a garden snake. You'll be fine.
Joseph (to Persephone): Uh... I'm not really that crazy about them.
Persephone (to Joseph): Two seconds more, I promise. Almost done... Okay. You can give him back... See, that wasn't so bad, was it?
Joseph (to Persephone): ... You are really weird.
Persephone (to Joseph): I will take that as a compliment. Here. Help me carry this basket back inside. Mrs. Esterly will probably have the tea ready.
Joseph (to Persephone): Oh yeah, of course...
Persephone (to Joseph): Not much of a talker, are you? I get it, you're one of those strong, silent type.
Joseph (to Persephone): Heh. More like the scrawny, silent type the way my dad tells it.
Persephone (to Joseph): Heehee. (to Mrs. Esterly) I've gotten all the weeding & pruning done for the day & we seem to have acquired a snake in the yard.
Mrs. Esterly (to Persephone & Joseph): Oh, look at the poor wee thing. Just let him loose in the garden, dear. Snakes are good luck, you know.
Persephone (to Mrs. Esterly): I will. I was worried that I was going to get him with my rake while I was in there.
Mrs. Esterly (to Persephone & Joseph): I have tea ready for you both.
Persephone (to Mrs. Esterly & Joseph): Oh, wonderful. Let me just wash my hands. Pardon me for a moment.
Joseph (to Mrs. Esterly): Thank you, Mrs. E.
Mrs. Esterly (to Joseph): You're quite welcome. Hee hee. You've taken quite a shine to Persephone, haven't you, dear?
Joseph (to Mrs. Esterly): ... Is it really that noticeable?
Mrs. Esterly (to Joseph): Hee hee, A bit, dear. Don't fret. I'm quite sure Persephone doesn't mind having an attractive young man paying her attention.
Joseph (to Mrs. Esterly): Oh... So, uh, do you know if she's seeing anyone?
Mrs. Esterly (to Joseph): No, I don't believe so.
Joseph (to Mrs. Esterly): Okay, good to know.
Persephone (to Joseph & Mrs. Esterly): You can stop talking about me, now... Don't make that face, Joseph. I was just teasing... Let's have our tea, shall we?
Joseph (to Persephone): Oh yeah... Lead the way.
Persephone (to Joseph): Heehee, you should never tell me that, Joseph... It leads to nothing but trouble. ;-P
Mrs. Esterly (to Joseph & Persephone): Hee hee. I'm afraid she isn't kidding about that.
Several hours later, outside of Renfield's; West Piedmont:
Oliver (to Nathaniel): Hello, Nate! I didn't realize you were working tonight.
Nathaniel (to Oliver): Hey, Oliver. Yeah. Sasha was giving me a test run over at Drac's Daughter tonight.
Oliver (to Nathaniel): Are you working in the club now? That's a surprise. I didn't think you were old enough.
Nathaniel (to Oliver): Heh. Yeah. I'm 18, and I'm working the door, not behind the bar. I'm headed home. See you later.
A couple minutes later:
Marlena (to Nathaniel): Hey stranger, got a fucking light?
Nathaniel (to Marlena): Oh! Hey. Yeah. How's shit?
Marlena (to Nathaniel): Same shit, different fucking day. How you holding up?
Nathaniel (to Marlena): Fine. Why wouldn't I be? Worked the door at Drac's.
Marlena (to Nathaniel): You wanna fucking play it like that... Fine. I don't have time for this shit. I'll see you later. Thanks for the light.
Nathaniel (to Marlena): Mars... Mars! Wait! Don't get all pissed off. I don't know what else to say, alright? I don't know how I am, OK? Christ...
Marlena (to Nathaniel): After everything we've been through! I mean, shit, Nate! I'm carrying your child... Heh. You should see the fucking look on your face.
Nathaniel (to Marlena): Oh Jesus... That is NOT fucking funny.
Marlena (to Nathaniel): Damn... Do you need a man-pon for your mangina? I was just trying to lighten the mood. Sorry.
Nathaniel (to Marlena): ...That was STILL not fucking funny. Heh... Ha ha ha! Oh... Oh, holy shit! I take it your mom told you about all the, uh... Alternate timeline whatever bullshit?
Marlena (to Nathaniel): You get the fucking kewpie doll.
Nathaniel (to Marlena): Heh. You are a fucking asshole, you know that? I'm... Christ. Do I fucking spill my guts to you in EVERY version of reality?
Marlena (to Nathaniel): Yes. Yes, you do. So, do I have to ply you with booze or do we go to the park?
Nathaniel (to Marlena): Heh. I'm thinking one will make the other a lot less fucking awkward. And for the fucking record, I am SO not putting a baby in that. Sorry. You're on your own there, Slim.
Marlena (to Nathaniel): Oh, my fucking heart is broken... So, you wanna get drunk at my house or do you need to go home to your boy?
Nathaniel (to Marlena): Heh. Yeah. Shit... I guess I should go home, huh? Heh. I'm still kinda getting used to having someone waiting for me. And thanks for not saying, "Oh shit. You're really not MY NATE are you?" I'm starting to fucking hate that guy. :-P
Marlena (to Nathaniel): Heh. Fair enough. But, if you need someone to scowl at you & bum smokes from, you know where I am.
Nathaniel (to Marlena): I do. ...Thanks.
