At Aiden's house; New London, Britannia:
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Nate? I'm sorry it took me so long to get home... Scoot over.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Hey. I'm awake. Shit... You look fuckin' beat.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): I am. I just spent a ridiculous amount of time arguing with my father & a bunch of out of touch politicians who think that because I stepped down from working for the ISS that none of this is any of my concern… I was involved with the Franklin detail. I know why his daughter is important to him & it's not just fatherly love. I also did a bit of digging and discovered that Kobayashi's trouble and Franklin's project are related. The Yashidas & Cheng are both in some sort of coup with each other and I think it's being manipulated by someone else but I can't figure out who… just yet.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Franklin needs his kid to make the machine work, doesn't he? Like, physically, I mean. He needs to hook her into it.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Yes. Her mother was the child of two skippers who could jump through time… Georgette isn't a skipper but she is like a battery. She can amp up a skipper... or possibly, drain the energy completely. But, it's completely unconscious. She doesn't have any control over it. At least, not yet. With training she could.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Huh. That explains why Delphine grabbed me. She's hoping I can find his kid & then she'll toss me to Franklin to dissect. Man... This all smells like fuckin' Hiiri to me.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): That's crazy. Her body was destroyed... Though, it wouldn't be the first time she made it look like she was dead & then hid.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Even if that Hiiri were destroyed, Starling's still fuckin' around.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): True. Do you think she & Carver might be behind all of this? It would certainly explain a few things.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Dunno. Might be. It sure as shit feels like one of her's, and it would explain why they're sniffin' around after Yoyo. Heh. I doubt Carver's behind anything. He's Hiiri's fuckin' pet… Anyway, he wouldn't be around still if it weren't for her. I know that fuckin' look. You got too much shit to think about now. Lay back down and get some damn rest.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Heh. You're the boss. Would you let Mrs. Esterly know that I'll be out of commission for a few hours?
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Yeah. ... Shit, man. Heh. I'm gonna go, or I won't let you get any damn sleep at all.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): You could stay… I wouldn't complain. ;-)
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Heh. I wouldn't complain either, but you need a least a couple hours before you drop... You're making it REAL hard to leave.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Heh… I certainly hope so.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Do you want me to stay?
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Yes, just until I fall asleep, if you don't mind.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): No. I don't mind...
An hour or so later:
Persephone (to Mrs. Esterly): I've got the 2nd floor dusted & all the bedding changed except for the master bedroom. Anything else you want me to do?
Mrs. Esterly (to Persephone): No, dear. That's more than enough. How is your head feeling?
Persephone (to Mrs. Esterly): Better than it was... Did Aiden finally come home?
Mrs. Esterly (to Persephone): Yes, he finally came home early this morning. Poor lad looked exhausted.
Persephone (to Mrs. Esterly): Well, that's good… Heh. Zoe was worried that I was actually going to hurt Nate for the bump on the noggin.
Mrs. Esterly (to Persephone): Hee hee hee. Good heavens. The one she should have been worrying about hurting that idiot man-child is me.
Nathaniel (to Mrs. Esterly & Persephone): Uh, standin' right here, you know.
Mrs. Esterly (to Nathaniel): Yes, dear. I am keenly aware.
Persephone (to Mrs. Esterly & Nathaniel): Heehee.
Nathaniel (to Mrs. Esterly): Yeah... I kinda figured that. (to Persephone) … I'm, uh, I'm really sorry I clocked you one yesterday. I... Sorry.
Persephone (to Nathaniel): … You are very lucky that you caught me unawares, hillbilly, or I would have socked you one, right then. But, I'm a forgiving sort. So, don't worry about it.
Nathaniel (to Persephone): Why the hell you think I waited until you weren't paying attention?
Persephone (to Nathaniel): Oh? … Well, in that case...
Mrs. Esterly (to Nathaniel): You deserved that, dear.
Nathaniel (to Mrs. Esterly): Yeah... I know.
Persephone (to Mrs. Esterly & Nathaniel): Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some gardening to do.
A few moments later:
Ms. Dvorak (to Mrs. Esterly & Nathaniel): Hello, sweeties… Oh, is this a bad time?
Mrs. Esterly (to Ms. Dvorak): Not at all, dear. Please come inside. I'll get the kettle on. (to Nathaniel) Put this cool cloth on your eye, Nathaniel. You're going to have quite the shiner, I'm afraid.
Ms. Dvorak (to Mrs. Esterly): Thank you, dear. (to Nathaniel) What did you do, sugar, to earn that eye?
Nathaniel (to Ms. Dvorak & Mrs. Esterly): Hit Seph on the back of the head and locked her in a closet, ma'am. I'll give you two some breathin' room.
Mrs. Esterly (to Nathaniel): Plant your bottom back down, young man. I'm not done with you. (to Ms. Dvorak) To what do I owe the pleasure, Margaux?
Ms. Dvorak (to Mrs. Esterly & Nathaniel): I went to speak to Haruki Yashida. Something big is going on in Asia. Nate, what do you know about an ISS employee named Martin Wilkinson or a pirate, Wong Fei Lan?
Mrs. Esterly (to Ms. Dvorak): Wilkinson was an up and comer in CLANNG when I was there. He was sneaky and driven as fuck. I think he wanted to take over as the director. ...Hell, I KNOW he wanted to take over as the director. Wanted Hiiri's job too. He needed me outta the way, so he was the one who set Carver after me 99-fucking-% of the time. At least. No family, friends or anything that I knew of. Wong Fei Lan... In my time, he was on Hiiri's payroll I think.
Ms. Dvorak (to Nathaniel & Mrs. Esterly): … I believe Wilkinson has a personal vendetta against the director & is the mastermind behind a good deal of this mess. He & Wong Fei Lan have been meeting. He's offering to take out Yashida for Cheng and then, more than likely get rid of Cheng and place Wong Fei Lan in her place.
Nathaniel (to Ms. Dvorak): Shit. Pick up the "take over ISS" where it got dropped, huh? Makes sense. How's Franklin fit into that?
Ms. Dvorak (to Nathaniel & Mrs. Esterly): I believe Franklin's device is what he's promised Yashida & Cheng to get them to fight each other.
Nathaniel (to Ms. Dvorak & Mrs. Esterly): Well, shit. Yeah. That'll do it. Heh. I thought Starling had gotten sick of being Carver's little murder spree sidekick and was plotting something. Heh heh. I gotta tell ya. It all sounded like some old school Hiiri shit.
Ms. Dvorak (to Nathaniel): I'm not rightly sure where Carver & Starling fit into this, sugar. Let's not put them on a shelf just yet. (to Mrs. Esterly) Agatha dear, why are you making that face at me?
Mrs. Esterly (to Nathaniel): Nathaniel, would you be able to find Franklin again if we needed you to?
Nathaniel (to Ms. Dvorak): Oh... It's my fault, ma'am. She thinks I'm gonna run off again cause of Carver and Hiiri-Starling-Who-the-Fuck-Ever. (to Mrs. Esterly) Uh, yeah. Should be able to. At least where he was. I, uh, annoyed Delphine, so she didn't take me back.
Ms. Dvorak (to Nathaniel & Mrs. Esterly): No, dear. That's Agatha's 'Go on, tell him everything' face. I told him everything I thought he should know.
Mrs. Esterly (to Ms. Dvorak): Delacroix grabbed him off the street the other night and wants him to find Franklin's girl for her. I think it's a bit too late to keep him out of the thick of it at this point, dear. ...I'll vouch for him.
Ms. Dvorak (to Mrs. Esterly): Oh dear. You're probably right… I would never have gone off if I thought she would be in trouble. (to Nathaniel) Nate, Martin Wilkinson is the son of Director Wilkes from an illicit affair. He was given up for adoption because his mother couldn't just get rid of him as she was asked to do… I think he knows that Director Wilkes is biological father. I don't know how he found out, but there you are.
Nathaniel (to Ms. Dvorak): Wow... That is... That is somethin' fucking else. Wait. So Aiden's half brother wanted to fucking kill me? ...Heh. Ha ha HA!
Mrs. Esterly (to Nathaniel): Nathaniel... Dear. Why on earth is that funny?
Nathaniel (to Mrs. Esterly): Ha ha... I-I have no fuckin' idea. Heh. Sorry. (to Ms. Dvorak) ...Well, it explains why he had such a hard-on to fuck over ISS, and why he's got it in for Big Daddy Wilkes.
Ms. Dvorak (to Nathaniel): Any questions, dear? I'm sure you have some.
Nathaniel (to Ms. Dvorak): You think he'll come after Aiden too? Or his mother?
Ms. Dvorak (to Nathaniel): I'm not sure. He doesn't seem to be focused on either of the Wilkes boys... However, that may be why Kobayashi was targeted. (to Mrs. Esterly) Agatha dear, say what you're going to say instead of making faces. You are terrible at holding your tongue.
Mrs. Esterly (to Ms. Dvorak & Nathaniel): Mmm. Aren't I just. It's not my place to say now, is it? I think we can safely assume the Wilkes boys are being targeted as well. I should think that's why both Kobayashi and Nathaniel were involved. Oh dear... How on earth am I supposed to get that git Roland to listen to me?
Ms. Dvorak (to Mrs. Esterly): Fine. You are pain in my arse sometimes, you damnable woman. (to Nathaniel) Nate, I don't believe he knows who his mother is because, she doesn't appear to have been targeted & if he had, we would know.
Nathaniel (to Ms. Dvorak): Oh. OH. Yeah. Got it. And don't fucking ask if I know what's good for me, right?
Ms. Dvorak (to Mrs. Esterly): Stop glaring at me! Fine... (to Nathaniel) It's me. I'm his mother. Alright. Are you happy now, Agatha?
Mrs. Esterly (to Ms. Dvorak): I wasn't glaring, dear. I was simply looking.
Nathaniel (to Ms. Dvorak & Mrs. Esterly): Oh. Well, I kinda figured that. It's why I didn't ask.
Mrs. Esterly (to Nathaniel): Hee hee. You did not!
Nathaniel (to Mrs. Esterly & Ms. Dvorak): It wasn't like I was sure! I just figure it had to be someone y'all knew personally. How else would you know? Then you were giving all Ms Dvorak those meaningful looks... Um, I won't say anything, you know.
Ms. Dvorak (to Nathaniel): Of course, you will, dear. You're going to feel obligated to tell the little lordling because you love him & then, you'll probably tell Zoe or Marlena because you won't be able to contain yourself. My money is on Mars, simply because she has no real reason to come over to Britannia and you'll think it's safe but then you'll feel bad that you didn't tell Zoe & she's terrible at keeping a secret... And, there you are, my terrible secret is out. So, go right ahead. I knew it would bite me in the arse one day... But, I'm certainly not the only one who's going to get bitten. Serves him right, the pompous puffed up ass.
Nathaniel (to Ms. Dvorak): Or, I could simply not say anything, cause I don't give enough of a shit to gossip about it. Jesus Christ... I think I got bigger shit to worry about right now.
Ms. Dvorak (to Nathaniel): Oh? And, what would that be, dear?
Nathaniel (to Ms. Dvorak): What? Seriously? One of the smartest, nastiest, non-fucking insane men I ever met is trying to take over the ISS, get some dude to build some crazy ass shit that will let him control the portals, has got it in for my damn boyfriend, and pretty soon Delphine's gonna start sniffing around and be a HUGE ol' pain in my ass, my cousin's girlfriend has a price on her head, and, am I forgetting anything, OH YEAH, Carver saw me and things I'm "REAL interesting." Not to mention all the crazy ass bullshit I got going on inside my head from having three fucking different realities in there, so... Yeah. Tell me again why I give two shits about who the hell you fucked 30 some odd years ago?
Ms. Dvorak (to Mrs. Esterly): My, my. You didn't mention what a drama queen he is. (to Nathaniel) Nate dear, A large majority of those things are linked together - the price on Kobayashi's head, someone wanting you to look for Georgette Franklin, the device itself, etc. Stop whining and use that brain of yours! I know you have one, you wouldn't have survived this long, if you didn't… I'll give you a moment to cool off & put the knife away before I break your wrist, my darling boy. Agatha & I are not the enemy here. I just want you to calm down and think about these things for a bloody minute. Can you do do that without resorting to violence?
Nathaniel (to Ms. Dvorak & Mrs. Esterly): What the fuck are you... Jesus Christ! I didn't even fucking realize I'd... OK. Putting it down. Sorry. I... Sorry. I'm sorry. I'm calm.
Ms. Dvorak (to Mrs. Esterly): Agatha, could you fix Nate a cup of tea, please?
Mrs. Esterly (to Nathaniel & Ms. Dvorak): Of course. I'm going to raid the liquor cabinet as well. I don't know about you two, but I could use a nip.
Ms. Dvorak (to Nathaniel): I realize you've been through a lot, dear. It must not have been easy to deal with all those memories rattling in your head.
Nathaniel (to Ms. Dvorak): The memories I think I can handle. It's the personality shifts that make me feel like I'm going fucking nuts. Doesn't fucking matter. I'm... I'm coping. Maybe not so great, but I'm doing what I can. I still don't get what you need to know from me, though. It sounds like you and Mrs. Esterly got all this shit figured out.
Ms. Dvorak (to Nathaniel): Are you kidding, dear, you were made for this... You so easily got yourself involved without a moment's hesitation. Agatha & I are not getting any younger and you're not known around here. And let's face it, you have skills that would come in handy.
Nathaniel (to Ms. Dvorak): Oh. You... You want my *help*? Yeah. Sure. I... Oh. Shit. Aiden isn't gonna fucking like this.
Ms. Dvorak (to Nathaniel): You were already willing to not tell him about Wilkinson. What's one more thing, dear?
Nathaniel (to Ms. Dvorak): I dunno. This is kinda a whole other kind of different.
Ms. Dvorak (to Nathaniel): I'm not so sure, dear, I think both would upset him equally.
Nathaniel (to Ms. Dvorak): Yeah? Shit... You're probably right. Look, I don't mind helping out. Really. I just... I dunno. I've gotta think about it.
Ms. Dvorak (to Nathaniel): Of course, dear, that's only fair... I should really get going. (to Mrs. Esterly) I'll talk to you later, Agatha darling.
Mrs. Esterly (to Ms. Dvorak): Of course, dear. Stop by for supper tomorrow. I'm making a roast. (to Nathaniel) Here you are. No need to flinch, dear. It's only whiskey.
Nathaniel (to Mrs. Esterly): Oh. Yeah. Thanks.
Mrs. Esterly (to Nathaniel): You're welcome. I assume Margaux asked you to help us.
Nathaniel (to Mrs. Esterly): Yeah. When I said I wasn't sure Aiden wouldn't like it, she said I just shouldn't tell him...
Mrs. Esterly (to Nathaniel): Oh? That doesn't surprise me. Is that what you're going to do?
Nathaniel (to Mrs. Esterly): Fuck no. *I'd* fucking dump me for a stunt like that. If I'm gonna help, I'm gonna have to tell him. But, I'd probably have tell him about Wilkinson too... I'm not sure what I should do.
Mrs. Esterly (to Nathaniel): Nathaniel, there's a reason Margaux has been, and will forever be single. Talk to him, dear.
Nathaniel (to Mrs. Esterly): But... What do I tell him about...
Mrs. Esterly (to Nathaniel): Tell him the truth. You don't have to tell him who the mother is, but he deserves to know. I'm afraid this isn't Margaux's secret alone to keep anymore, dear.
Nathaniel (to Mrs. Esterly): Yeah...
Several hours later:
Aiden: Oh damn, it's dark. I slept much longer than I meant to.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Hey. You awake?
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Yes, finally. I hadn't planned on sleeping so late. Any news while I was out?
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Um, yeah. You want anything to eat or drink first. This, um... This is gonna be a long conversation.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): No thank you. I'm not quite ready for food just yet... I take it this is about Wilkinson.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Uh, yeah. It is. ...What makes you say that?
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Because, you've got your serious face on, which means it's going to be personal and you're uncomfortable about telling me, we know he's the leak & I made an educated guess.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Oh. Yeah. Heh. Guess that's kinda obvious, huh? Right... Um, I guess first I should tell you that, uh, Ms Dvorak wants me to help out with this whole clusterfuck. You know, cause no one knows me, and shit...
Aiden (to Nathaniel): ... Oh. And, what did you say to her?
Nathaniel (to Aiden): I, uh, I said that I didn't mind helping, but I had to think about it. ...Um, I wasn't sure you'd like it, so I wanted to talk to you first.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Well, thank you for thinking of me. So, you want to help, don't you? I'll agree to it but I get to be involved and be your partner, as well.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Heh. Shit, man. You say that like I wouldn't want you involved. I know I can trust you to keep my ass safe. I love you. ...Which is fuckin' shitty that I gotta be the one to tell you this. Um, Wilkinson is your half-brother.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): I know.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): You... You fucking WHAT?
Aiden (to Nathaniel): I've suspected it for quite some time. He looks a bit too much like Roland when he was younger for it to be a coincidence. I didn't think it was important enough to mention it. Is that all?
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Oh. Uh, wow. OK, then. No. I, uh... Shit! I don't know how to fucking... I'm... I'm not sure how much you should fuckin' trust me right now.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Why? What's going on, Nate? I trust you completely. Always have.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): I-I know you do. I'm... I'm just kinda fucking nuts lately. I just... I constantly feel like I'm on the verge of fucking *exploding* lately. I-I locked Seph in a closet yesterday and today, TODAY, I pulled a fucking knife on Mrs. Esterly! I... Christ! I'm sorry. Fucking... Fucking ignore me. I just feel fucking scrambled right now.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Come with me, Nate.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Where are we going?
Aiden (to Nathaniel): To the practice room. You need to clear your head & I'm a bit stiff from the long nap. A sparring session will do us both some good. You can even use a knife, if you need to. :-p
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Heh. What? You wanna hit me in the face too?
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Not at all. I happen to like your face quite a bit. Or would you rather do something else?
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Heh. Well, I got some ideas of what we can do afterwards.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Well, I'm game if you're not too worn out afterwards. ;-)
Nathaniel (to Aiden): As long as you don't kick my ass too bad. Ready when you are.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Heh. Let me take my shirt off. I seem to recall the last time I did this with you, it got ruined.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Heh. That wasn't me. That was your fuckin' partner. Somehow, I think you're just trying to fucking distract me.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): ... Is it working?
Nathaniel (to Aiden): It's fucking not fair, is what it is... So, you gonna take a swing, or what?
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Yes. Let's begin.
A little while later:
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Heh... Sorry 'bout that. You are fucking hot all hot and heaving and annoyed, you know that?
Aiden (to Nathaniel): You are not so bad yourself. Feeling any better?
Nathaniel (to Aiden): ... Heh. I am a bit. ... Thanks.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Good. Now, come here. I want to get sweaty with you in a different way.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): That is honestly the best fucking idea I've heard all day.
