Nathaniel (to Joseph): Get over here! ...What the fuck are you DOING here? You shouldn't be here. Shit. Come on! "Slumming it" in Britannia, means REALLY fucking slumming it.
Joseph (to Nathaniel): Sorry. I was just exploring the city & I got a bit fucking turned around. What the hell are you doing here? I thought you were living in West Piedmont with Aiden.
Nathaniel (to Joseph): I am. I was doing some, you know,--uhhh--stuff for Mrs. Esterly.
Joseph (to Nathaniel): Oh? OH! Stuff... I get it... no, I don't.
Nathaniel (to Joseph): ... I've been hanging out in bars where CLANNG operatives drink and listening, too see if I overhear anything useful.
Joseph (to Nathaniel): That sounds fu-- Do you have a fucking deathwish or something?
Nathaniel (to Joseph): Yes. I thought this would a much easier way to commit suicide than just sticking a gun in my fucking mouth. No! Of course not. I'm not doing anything that dangerous. I'm just sitting at the bar and drinking.
Joseph (to Nathaniel): Okay, if you fucking say so.
Nathaniel (to Joseph): Calm down. I used to do this kind of shit all the time. I know how to keep myself out of trouble. Mostly. You on the other hand... Quick! Duck down here.
Joseph (to Nathaniel): What the fuck!?! Watch where you're grabbing!
Nathaniel (to Joseph): Can you shut your fucking noise hole for ONE goddamn minute before you fucking get us stabbed? Jesus...
Joseph (to Nathaniel): Who was going to fucking stab us?
A few minutes later:
Nathaniel (to Joseph): ... I think we're alright. NOW you can talk. Don't looks so fucking offended. I didn't grab you anyplace interesting. See that asshole at the end of the street trying to find something he lost? Yeah. He lost YOU. He was tailing you. Right before I walked up to you, he was about to pull something outta his pocket. I'm guessing a knife, cause it's the easiest to hide, but could've been anything. I was hoping having me there would make him fuck off. Doesn't look like it.
Joseph (to Nathaniel): Oh shit. I thought I was being careful.
Nathaniel (to Joseph): Well, you didn't get stabbed, so I think we can call it a fucking win. ...Sorry if I freaked you out when I grabbed you.
Joseph (to Nathaniel): It's fine. Thanks for helping me not get fucking stabbed. Can you help me get back to Mrs. Esterly's place?
Nathaniel (to Joseph): Yeah. No problem. I gotta go back and report in to her anyway. Hold up... Think we're good. Come on... Heh. You're all fucking freaked out by me now, aren't you?
Joseph (to Nathaniel): No, of course not... I've just never been almost fucking stabbed before.
Nathaniel (to Joseph): Oh. Shit. Yeah. Heh. Guess not. Ha ha ha! Sorry, man. I didn't think of that.
Joseph (to Nathaniel): You are totally fucking weird, man... It's not a bad thing. Just an observation.
Nathaniel (to Joseph): Heh. Yeah. Don't I fucking know it? My head wasn't screwed on straight before any of this crazy shit. Goddamn alternate realities will fuck your shit up. Here we are.
Joseph (to Nathaniel): Thank the fucking gods.
A short time later, at Aiden's house; New London, Britannia:
Mrs. Esterly (to Nathaniel): Hello, Nathaniel. I was wondering when you would get back. (to Joseph) Joseph! I wasn't expecting to see you back so soon. Good heavens, dear. You look a fright. Sit down. Let me get you something stiff to drink.
Joseph (to Mrs. Esterly): No, thank you, Mrs. E. I try to stay away from alcohol... But, tea would be fine.
Mrs. Esterly (to Joseph): Of course, dear. Would you like lemon and honey?
Joseph (to Mrs. Esterly): Just lemon is fine... Has Persephone come home, yet? She said she had to run errands & wouldn't be back until later.
Mrs. Esterly (to Joseph): Hee hee. Not yet, dear. (to Nathaniel) Here you are, Nathaniel. Did you learn anything?
Nathaniel (to Mrs. Esterly): What the... I'm not really hungry, Mrs. Esterly.
Mrs. Esterly (to Nathaniel): Tish tosh! You need to eat, young man. I'll pack something up for Master Aiden. (to Joseph) Let me get you a plate, dear.
Joseph (to Mrs. Esterly): Thank you! (to Nathaniel) I can't believe you're not going to eat. Her cooking is fucking fantastic.
Nathaniel (to Joseph): Not you too... I know it's good. That's not the problem. I'll eat. I'm just not hungry right this fucking second… So, you and Seph, huh?
Joseph (to Nathaniel): ... Oh, uh, yeah. We've been kinda seeing each other.
Nathaniel (to Joseph): Heh. Thought she seemed like she was in a good mood lately.
Joseph (to Nathaniel): She does? That's cool.
A few minutes later:
Persephone (to Mrs. Esterly, Nathaniel & Joseph): Ooooo, hello all! I wasn't expecting to have such a full house when I returned from my errands.
Joseph (to Persephone): Hey.
Nathaniel (to Persephone, Mrs. Esterly & Joseph): Heh. Don't worry. I'm fucking off. Here. Have my food, Seph. I already know Mrs. Esterly put enough food in that basket for 5 or 6 people already.
Mrs. Esterly (to Nathaniel): Oh, I did not! You don't eat enough, young man. (to Persephone) What would you like to drink, Persephone?
Persephone (to Nathaniel): Oh, thank you, Nate. (to Mrs. Esterly) Whatever you're drinking. It's been a long day of arguing with Mr. McIntyre.
Mrs. Esterly (to Persephone): Hee hee hee. What makes you think that I'm drinking? Mr. McIntyre is such a ruddy blowhard. (to Nathaniel) Hold on!
Persephone (to Mrs. Esterly): Heh. Because I'm not a bloody idiot… (to Joseph) You look handsome today. That color suits you.
Nathaniel (to Mrs. Esterly): What?
Joseph (to Persephone): Oh, uh, thank you. You look beautiful.
Nathaniel (to Mrs. Esterly): What?
Mrs. Esterly (to Nathaniel): Let me walk you to the door, dear, and give Persephone and Joseph a little space.
Nathaniel (to Mrs. Esterly): Yes, PLEASE.
Persephone (to Joseph): Heehee.
A moment later:
Nathaniel (to Mrs. Esterly): If you're wondering what I found out, the answer is not much. I didn't spend a lot of time there tonight. I found Joseph wandering around with a tail.
Mrs. Esterly (to Nathaniel): Did he? Was it anyone you knew, dear?
Nathaniel (to Mrs. Esterly): Nope. I think it was just someone who thought he found an easy mark. I can come back tomorrow if you want.
Mrs. Esterly (to Nathaniel): I would appreciate it, dear. Have a good evening. Give Master Aiden a hug for me, won't you?
Nathaniel (to Mrs. Esterly): Heh. Yeah. Sure. Thanks for the food, Mrs. Esterly. I'll see you later.
At Aiden & Nathaniel's apartment; West Piedmont:
Aiden (to Yukiko): Kobayashi! Are you actually trying to kill me!?! We're supposed to be sparring.
Yukiko (to Aiden): Oh, stop your whining, Lord Sissy Britches.
Aiden (to Yukiko): Really!?! That's just plain insulting… Take that!
Yukiko (to Aiden): Heh… You are rusty, Wilkes.
Nathaniel (to Aiden & Yukiko): Heh. Don't stop on my account. It was just getting interesting.
Yukiko (to Nathaniel): Oh? You want interesting? … Try this.
Aiden (to Yukiko): Not my bloody shirt! Damn.
Nathaniel (to Yukiko & Aiden): Ha ha! Wow. Well, I'm not fucking complaining.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): You are not helping. (to Yukiko) Do you give up?
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Sorry. I got REAL vested interests in this fight. Mostly whatever gets you the sweatiest and nakedest.
Yukiko (to Aiden): Heh. Are you kidding?
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Dropped your guard on the right.
Aiden: Bloody hell! OW! (to Yukiko) Damn it. Smacking me in the ass with your sword is not funny.
Yukiko (to Aiden): Hell yeah, it is.
Aiden (to Yukiko): Alright, alright! I give up!
Yukiko (to Aiden): Heehee. That's a shame. I was just starting to get a good workout. :-P
Nathaniel (to Yukiko & Aiden): Ha ha! Yeah. He's still half fucking clothed... I can go a round with you if you want. Not with swords, though. Never could do anything with anything bigger than a switchblade.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Are you sure about this, Nate?
Yukiko (to Nathaniel): Okay. How about bare-handed?
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Heh. Yeah. S'only fair since I laughed my ass off at you. Don't worry. I already know Yoyo's gonna fucking kick my ass. (to Yukiko) Just don't mess up my face too bad. He's fond of it.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Well then, if you don't mind, I'll just sit right here. ;-P
Yukiko (to Nathaniel): Of course not. It's your best feature.
Nathaniel (to Yukiko): Hell, I gotta have one good feature, right? (to Aiden) Heh. If you're lucky, maybe I'll lose my shirt too. :-p
Yukiko (to Nathaniel): I can make that happen… (to Aiden) Have a preference?
Aiden (to Yukiko): Left sleeve, Right sleeve, buttons then the rest of the shirt.
Yukiko (to Aiden): Really? … This isn't some sort of weird foreplay, is it?
Aiden (to Yukiko): Heh. Possibly…
A short time later:
Nathaniel (to Yukiko & Aiden): ...Heh. Jesus. I'm gonna just take the fucking thing off at this point. Unless getting it removed in pieces is part of the thing. :-P
Yukiko (to Aiden & Nathaniel): … And now, I'm done. I'll leave you boys to it.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Well, it was. ;-)
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Heh. Yeah, well if you're lucky, I'll let you do it later. (to Yukiko) Heh. Sorry, Yoyo. He's kinda adorable when he flirts.
Yukiko (to Aiden & Nathaniel): Yeah, I'm sure… I should go. You can take each other's clothes off now.
Aiden (to Yukiko & Nathaniel): I am completely fine with that.
Nathaniel (to Yukiko): Heh. Later! You can hit me in the face next time. (to Aiden) So, is my shirt gonna survive tonight?
Aiden (to Nathaniel): I think it's going to be a lost cause… And, you may want to say goodbye to those pants, too. ;-)
Nathaniel (to Aiden): What the FUCK? Dude! Awww, c'mon! I don't have that many pair of pants! ... Oh. Oh shit! Never fucking mind. Fuck the goddamn pants...
An hour or so later, at Marlena & Victor's apartment; West Piedmont:
Yukiko (to Marlena): Mars? Is it safe to come in? Or are you & River still doing nasty things on the couch?
Marlena (to Yukiko): Heh. Yeah, he went home a little while ago, he's got the early shift at work tomorrow. Come on in. Want some popcorn? I was just sitting here watching a movie.
Yukiko (to Marlena): Sure… Though, I probably need a shower first.
Marlena (to Yukiko): So, your workout with Aiden went well, huh?
Yukiko (to Marlena): It did, until it went weird when Nate got home. I'll be back in a couple minutes. I smell like ass.
A short time later:
Victor (to Marlena): Mars! I wasn't expecting to see you out of your cave. What on earth are you watching?
Marlena (to Victor): Some really terrible fucking sci-fi movie. Your girlfriend is in the shower.
Victor (to Marlena): Oh! It's Forbidden Planet. I haven't seen this since I was a kid. Yuki's in the shower, huh?
Marlena (to Victor): Yeah. She was all fucking sweaty & disgusting from her workout with Aiden.
Victor (to Marlena): Somehow, I don't think disgusting is a word I would use. ... Oh, um, excuse me.
Marlena (to Victor): Heh… Sweet dreams.
Yukiko (to Marlena): Come on. Gimme a bloody break. Like you're any better with River. :-P I'll see you in the morning.
Marlena (to Victor): I know. Doesn't fucking mean I'm not going to pick on you. Go on. Go see your girlfriend.
Victor (to Marlena): Heh. I'd really like that. G'night.
A moment later:
Victor (to Yukiko): Hello? Yuki? Are you done with your shower?
Yukiko: Hold still. Don't eve-- (to Victor) Oh, Victor, you scared the hell out of me.
Victor (to Yukiko): So I see. I didn't mean to startle you. Um... Would you mind terribly putting the sword away?
Yukiko (to Victor): Oh right. Sorry. Old habits... I should get dressed.
Victor (to Yukiko): Um, heh... Feel free to take your time.
Yukiko (to Victor): I don't think Mars would appreciate me sitting on the couch like this. Or did you have something else in mind?
Victor (to Yukiko): Heh. I suppose not. Of course, I think she expected I was going to try to keep you from going back into the living room. :-P
Yukiko (to Victor): Oh, are you? Because, I wouldn't be opposed to that, at all.
Victor (to Yukiko): Heh. I would really like to do that.
