Marlena: Hello? Anybody home? … Well, that's a fine fucking how do you do… I guess, I'll just leave mom's present and get breakfast elsewhere.
Eep (to Marlena): Hey, Monkey. What are you doing here so early? ...Did you not go to sleep last night.
Marlena (to Eep): I slept a bit…Inspiration struck at 3:30 this morning & I'm working on a new piece. I got a new model & I'm almost done with it. I went and saw the new baby yesterday & it reminded me that I hadn't been by in awhile. So, I wandered over here. Everyone still fucking asleep? … Bunch of slackers. :-P
Eep (to Marlena): Heh. You're too fucking much like me for your own good, you know that? Lemme get some coffee on. Heh, Your mom worked late last night, so she's still sleeping. Goober's out in the yard finding her a "bouquet."
Marlena (to Eep): Oh… That can't be fucking good. I hope you reminded him about mom's allergy or this is really going to suck.
Eep (to Marlena): Well, last year it was dandelions and two lizards. God only knows what it'll fucking entail this year. I'm guessing cicada shells are gonna feature heavily. Mom and I stopped by and saw the new baby yesterday. How people as tiny as your aunt and uncle make such fat ass babies I'll never fucking know. Who'd you con into modeling for you this time?
Marlena (to Eep): Heh. Victor's new girlfriend, Yuki. She's from the other side, apparently. She's working perfectly for my series. My other model, Saffron, sucked so much ass. She's gorgeous but there's no depth. No fucking character. An utter waste of space. Yuki has seen some shit. You can tell by looking at her. Though, she won't talk about it. At least, not with me, anyway. And, how Victor suckered her into dating him, I'll never fucking know. She seems way out of his league. :-P
Eep (to Marlena): Ha ha! Jesus, Monkey. How do you really feel? Heh. Your cousin's a nice enough kid. When he fucking relaxes, that is. I'm glad the new model's working out for you. You didn't fucking tell Saffron she's a waste of space did you?
Marlena (to Eep): … No. I'm not a fucking moron, Dad. I just told her it wasn't working out & that she should go back to her crayons. She wasn't in one of your classes, was she?
Eep (to Marlena): Heh. She was. It explained why the last project she turned in was a elaborately illustrated "Fuck You and Your Family." Done in fucking crayon.
Marlena (to Eep): Well, I hope she's gotten better with her proportions & use of shadow. 'Cuz damn! Her other work was fucking abysmal. I'm surprised she could find that much depth of emotion to actually come up with something that clever. Good for her.
Eep (to Marlena): Don't be a dick, Mars. You know not everyone is as smart as you fucking are. Saffron's got a lot to learn, but... No... She fucking sucks. But at least she turns in her assignments. Not like half these other rich douchebags.
Marlena (to Eep): I cannot wait to be out of there. You know, that guy, Francisco, who I like to call Francis? He's already got a fucking New York gallery willing to display his work, just cuz his Dad knows somebody. So not fucking fair.
Eep (to Marlena): I hate to say it, but that's how it fucking works. You either know someone, or you work your fucking ass off. Heh. The Piedmont made me finish my degree the first year they hired me as a teacher, because they didn't want it getting out I was a fucking dropout. Don't fucking worry about Francis. Yeah, you'll have to work harder than him, but he sucks. And people with any kinda brains will see that.
Marlena (to Eep): I know… Still doesn't mean I can't be fucking bitter about it.
Eep (to Marlena): There's no point, Monkey. You'll give yourself a stroke being bitter about all the shit that isn't fair in the world. 'Sides, it's not like you don't have offers of your own. Sure, they aren't from New York, but do you honestly think, in a city that fucking size, with real fucking talent in it, that ANYONE will notice Francis's shitty work? Doesn't matter where it's fucking hung if no one comes to see it.
Marlena (to Eep): I know, I know. You don't have to convince me… So, how often did Mom have to say that kind of shit to you before you believed it?
Eep (to Marlena): ... About 50,000 times or so; usted es un dolor en el culo. As long as you're here, help me make breakfast.
Marlena (to Eep): Como si no lo sé. What are we making?
Eep (to Marlena): Donas Rellenas. I was gonna make some dulce de leche to stick in them as well. You can do that part. :-P
Marlena (to Eep): Oooooh. I'm onboard for that.
Eep (to Marlena): Heh. Thought you might be.
A short time later, at Marlena & Victor's apartment; West Piedmont:
Yukiko (to Victor): Oh hey… I hope I didn't wake you. I was just exercising.
Victor (to Yukiko): No. Not at all. Do you want a sparring partner?
Yukiko (to Victor): If you'd like.
Victor (to Yukiko): I'm probably rusty, and I already know you can kick my ass, so, you know... Don't murder me. :-P
Yukiko (to Victor): I'll be gentle. Heh. I won't even use any weapons.
Victor (to Yukiko): Why do I suspect that wouldn't make any difference. Yikes! And we're starting, I see...
Yukiko (to Victor): Oh. Do you need time to stretch or warm up?
Victor (to Yukiko): Heh... Was that a dig? I think that might have been a dig.
Yukiko (to Victor): Was it? :-P
Victor (to Yukiko): Yes, I believe it was. Damn... I can't get inside your defenses at all. Woah, woah, woah! Don't aim for my face! If you beat up my face, how am I going to keep your interest?
Yukiko (to Victor): Heh. It's not your face I like… Do you give up?
Victor (to Yukiko): Why not? It's a perfectly good face. And why should I give up? Just because I'm hopelessly outclassed & about to be maimed?
Yukiko (to Victor): Heehee. I like your face just fine. It's a handsome face. I was just teasing.
Victor (to Yukiko): I know. I was just trying to distract you enough to do THIS. ...Oh. I didn't... Shit. You are now seriously going to kill me.
Yukiko (to Victor): Heehee… Yes, I would if I didn't want to do this, instead...
Victor (to Yukiko): Oh. Well, I prefer that. I much prefer that. To the murdering.
Yukiko (to Victor): Heh. I'm glad.
A few hours later, at Poppy & Vincent's apartment, West Piedmont:
Victor (to Zoe): Will you calm down? It'll be fine. Mom will love whatever you make for her.
Zoe (to Victor): Yeah, you say that now. But, you've had a billion of them.
Victor (to Zoe): A billion of what?
Zoe (to Victor): A billion Mother's Days… Or did you think I was making a present Mom because of the baby?
Victor (to Zoe): Heh. No, I assumed it was for Mother's Day, but I haven't had more than 16, have I? And for the first few of those, I was a baby.
Zoe (to Victor): … Thank you very much, smart ass.
Victor (to Zoe): I keep telling you, it'll be fine. Besides, how are we going to compete with Lucas? Being BORN right next to Mother's Day?
Zoe (to Victor): So, uh, how are things with Yuki?
Victor (to Zoe): Things are going pretty well with Yuki, I think. I know she'll have to go back to the other side sooner or later, so I guess I'm just trying to enjoy being with her while I can.
Zoe (to Victor): Oh… And then, what do you you think you'll do?
Victor (to Zoe): I don't know. Try to visit her as much as I can, I suppose. If she wants me to.
Zoe (to Victor): Yeah, that makes sense… You should talk her into staying. At least, until you're done with school.
Victor (to Zoe): I would like that... Heh. But, I don't know that I could convince her to stay. She has a life in New London. She doesn't have anything here.
Zoe (to Victor): She's got you… And, she might like it here if she gave it a chance… Okay. How does this look for a present?
Victor (to Zoe): It looks great. Mom will love it.
Zoe (to Victor): Thanks… Um, have you taken Yuki out on a date, maybe dancing?
Victor (to Zoe): No, not really. I mean, we've gone walking together and got food and ice cream and things, but never dancing. Heh. If I were to tell the truth, The dance clubs intimidate me a bit. I don't know any of the music or dances. If there's actually any structure to the dances, that is. There doesn't seem to be.
Zoe (to Victor): Heh. You are such an old man… I'm gonna go take this to Mom.
Victor (to Zoe): I'm not an old man! Is this one of those alternate timeline things?
Zoe (to Victor): Yeah, she really liked dancing. In fact, you ran into her at a club & you would not stop talking about it.
Victor (to Zoe): I did? That seems... That seems inexplicable now. There's no harm in asking if she wants to go dancing at least.
Zoe (to Victor): It probably doesn't matter. She's a bit different from the one I remember.
Victor (to Zoe): Go. Go give your give to Mom. I can tell you're impatient to do so. :-P
Zoe (to Victor): Okay. See you later!
A little while later, at Marlena & Victor's apartment, West Piedmont:
Victor (to Yukiko): Oh? Thank you! Heh. I've never come across a style of food I don't enjoy. Everyone was well. Zoe was all nerves about giving Mom her Mother's Day gift. It's her first one, you see.
Yukiko (to Victor): How's the family? … I made dinner. I hope you like Nipp-- Japanese food.
Victor (to Yukiko): Heh. That's what I tried to tell her. Wow. This looks... This looks far too pretty to be edible!
Yukiko (to Victor): Oh, I bet your mom will love whatever Zoe gives her… Here, you go. I hope you like it. Heh. I made 4 types of sushi rolls, seaweed salad, miso soup & gyozas.
A few minutes later:
Victor (to Yukiko): This is delicious! Thank you again. You didn't have to go through the trouble.
Yukiko (to Victor): Yes, I did. I wanted to say thank you for letting me stay here with you.
Victor (to Yukiko): It hasn't been any bother. To tell the truth, I've really enjoyed having you here. In fact, I would ask you to stay. If you had any interest, I mean.
Yukiko (to Victor): Oh… That was unexpected. I don't know what to say, Victor. What would I do here? I barely know how to get around, I've been reading the history books & watching television to better understand this place but I still don't belong here.
Victor (to Yukiko): I understand. Heh. Believe me, I COMPLETELY understand. I wasn't raised here either, really. I didn't expect that you would want to stay, honestly. It was... It was just a nice notion. I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable.
Yukiko (to Victor): You didn't make me uncomfortable. It's flattering that you asked… And, I'll definitely think about it.
Victor (to Yukiko): Oh? Heh... alright. Thank you again for the meal. It was excellent. I don't suppose you'd like to go dancing sometime?
Yukiko (to Victor): Oh, I would like that.
Victor (to Yukiko): You would? Oh! Excellent. It's a date, then.
Yukiko (to Victor): … Why am I suddenly very afraid?
Victor (to Yukiko): Heh. I suspect because I called it a date.
Yukiko (to Victor): No, that's not it. You just seemed a little too excited about it.
Victor (to Yukiko): Oh. Heh. Sorry. I didn't really expect you to say yes.
Yukiko (to Victor): Why wouldn't I? I enjoy spending time with you & the thought of going out with you is a pleasant idea.
Victor (to Yukiko): Well, I'm very glad to hear that.
Yukiko (to Victor): Heh… Marry me, Victor & make an honest woman out of me… Heehee. You should see the look on your face. Priceless.
Victor (to Yukiko): I should think so. Make an honest woman out of you? The idea is terrifying. :-P ... In your dream, was there a part where... Oh. Uh, heh. Never mind.
Yukiko (to Victor): You can ask me anything, Victor. It's okay.
Victor (to Yukiko): Oh. Heh. I, uh, I don't think it's entirely appropriate. It's not important.
Yukiko (to Victor): Really? We've been sharing the same bed & shagging after only knowing each other for a short time & asking me a question isn't appropriate… You are very odd.
Victor (to Yukiko): Ha ha ha! Well, for all intents and purposes, I am British. It's just that, in my dream, I feel like you and I... I,um, seem to remember us being engaged.
Yukiko (to Victor): Yes, I believe I remember something about that.
Victor (to Yukiko): That doesn't bother you?
Yukiko (to Victor): Should it?
Victor (to Yukiko): No! Not that the idea bothers me, you understand! I mean, I rather thought... You were so hesitant to go on a date with me... I swear to you I am usually much less awkward and bumbling than this.
Yukiko (to Victor): That was then, Victor. I'm not really one for dwelling on things. Besides, I like you.
Victor (to Yukiko): I lo--liiiiike you too. I like you very much, as a matter of fact.
Yukiko (to Victor): Heh. You know, it's okay to tell me you love me, Victor. It's quite easy to say… I love you. See? Easy peasy.
Victor (to Yukiko): Easy peasy she says... I think my heart just skipped a beat or three. Yes, I know it's mad and completely irrational, but I'm completely in love with you.
Yukiko (to Victor): Heh. Told you it was easy. I love you, too.
Victor (to Yukiko): ...Wow.
Yukiko (to Victor): … You've never had a girlfriend before, have you?
Victor (to Yukiko): ...Heh. That obvious, is it? Not one that I was serious about, no. Or that I dated more than once or twice...
Yukiko (to Victor): Just a little… I'm sorry. I hope I didn't embarrass you.
Victor (to Yukiko): Heh. No, not really. Most people don't notice. Dating is a bit complicated when you're a dimension hopping freak from an alternate reality. I suppose I got in the habit of spending my time with young ladies who wouldn't ask too many questions.
Yukiko (to Victor): You're not a freak, Victor!
Victor (to Yukiko): Ha ha! What? Really? Come on now. I am a bit. The only other person I know who can do what I do is Zoe. I don't mean that to sound as negative as it does, but I've grown up knowing that if either CLANNG, or the crown, heh, or or even the government on this side learned about me and what I can do, it would be a short and unpleasant life for me.
Yukiko (to Victor): That may be true, but what you do is absolutely amazing. It's a gift.
Victor (to Yukiko): Oh. You think so? I'm... I wasn't expecting you to say that.
Yukiko (to Victor): Heh. You seem to say that a lot.
Victor (to Yukiko): I know. That's what I like about you. Other people are... This is going to sound incredibly rude, but understand my mother is a spy and former con and has been teaching me to read people practically since before I could walk... But, most people are distressingly predictable. There's no surprise, and certainly no challenge. You're not like that.
Yukiko (to Victor): Oh well, thank you. I hate being predictable... C'mere.
Victor (to Yukiko): Heh. Yes, ma'am.
