At Vernian Industries; Coventry, Britannia:
Hiiri (to Martin): Who are all these people, Wilkinson, friends of yours? Now this really pisses me off to no end!
Martin (to Hiiri): Miss Hiiri, these are simply a precaution…
Hiiri (to Martin): Well, I don't like it. Here I am all alone, quite defenseless. What do I do if you were to try and double-cross me? Send them away. NOW!
Martin (to Hiiri): Fine... (to CLANNG officers) You heard the lady. Go… (to Hiiri) Satisfied?
Hiiri (to Martin): Yes. Thank you… Here's the information you wanted in regards to Roland Wilkes' late night activities. I am not a simple errand girl, Wilkinson… Oh, and I discovered that name you wanted… Marjorie Dillon. There's no record of her after she left University and joined the ISS… Now, if you ever ask me to do something like this again, I'll have Carver gut you & I'll wear you like a coat. Understand?
Martin (to Hiiri): Yes… And, thank you. I have much to do. I'll leave you to your work. Good day, Miss Hiiri.
A couple hours later, on the street outside the Longfellow Inn; New London, Britannia:
Ms. Dvorak (to George): Well look, George, it's Mister Wilkinson.
George (to Ms. Dvorak): Ms. Dvorak, is this wise?
Ms. Dvorak (to George): Hush, darling. It's fine. (to Martin) What brings you away from your desk at this time of day, dear?
Martin (to Ms. Dvorak): Good day, Ms. Dvorak… I had an errand to run for the Director. It was such a lovely day, I thought I'd walk back to the office.
Ms. Dvorak (to Martin): Yes, it is a lovely day, isn't it? Perhaps, you'd care to dawdle a bit more & join us for breakfast? We were just sitting down for it. Molly makes a lovely spread.
Martin (to Ms. Dvorak): No, thank you, Ms. Dvorak. I should be going back to the office. Good day.
George (to Martin): Pardon me, sir. The sidewalk is a bit uneven here.
Martin (to George): It's fine, young man. (to Ms. Dvorak & George) Good day to you both.
Ms. Dvorak (to Martin): Good day. (to George) Hand it over, George.
George (to Ms. Dvorak): Heh. Yes, ma'am.
Ms. Dvorak (to George): You've gotten much better at pickpocketing. Practicing a bit more, have we, darling? Now, let's see what he was in such a hurry to take back to the office… Oh my.
George (to Ms. Dvorak): Who is Marjorie Dillon?
Ms. Dvorak (to George): … She's no one, dear. Hardly the important part. Oh. Roland, you great big git. I'm going to have to skip breakfast. I'll meet you back at the house… Enjoy your breakfast, darling.
George (to Ms. Dvorak): Yes, ma'am.
A short time later, at Aiden's house; New London, Britannia:
Ms. Dvorak (to Mrs. Esterly): Agatha dear, do you have a free moment?
Mrs. Esterly (to Ms. Dvorak): Of course. I just took the kettle off. Would you like a cuppa?
Ms. Dvorak (to Mrs. Esterly): That would be lovely… Here. George nicked this off Wilkinson this morning.
Mrs. Esterly (to Ms. Dvorak): Marjorie Dillon!?! How on earth did he get his hands on this? Good heavens. There's a name I haven't heard in a long time.
Ms. Dvorak (to Mrs. Esterly): Yes… You're telling me.
Mrs. Esterly (to Ms. Dvorak): I'm afraid this is my fault. I had a little chat with Wilkinson last week. I was hoping to scare him off, or make him nervous enough to make a mistake, but it appears it's just caused him to move forward his schedule.
Ms. Dvorak (to Mrs. Esterly): Well then, I suppose it's time I had a little chat with my son. I think this has gone on quite long enough. If he wants to take his revenge on someone, it should be me. I'm the one who put him up for adoption rather than raising him on my own. No one else need suffer for my youthful vindictiveness & stupidity.
Mrs. Esterly (to Ms. Dvorak): And neither should you, dear. Besides, it's not as though Mr. Wilkinson is targeting anyone who deserves it for this bloody ridiculous revenge plot of his. You can't blame yourself, sweetie. It's not as though he would have been much better off with you. If we're to be totally honest with ourselves, neither one of us would have ever been a very good mother. I rather think that's why we never settled down properly, isn't it?
Ms. Dvorak (to Mrs. Esterly): Heh… You're absolutely right, as per usual, darling. Now, what do we do about Roland? He's clearly gotten himself in a little too deeply in debt. And I think Wilkinson is planning on buying the debt.
Mrs. Esterly (to Ms. Dvorak): Of course he is. Oh, Roland! I swear, I don't know how that boy has survived as long as he has sometimes. It's time to make him aware of what's going on, I suppose, as well as his father. I don't suppose we know anyone who could buy bloody Roland's debt and who owes us a favor, do we?
Ms. Dvorak (to Mrs. Esterly): … I can think of someone, but he's such a handful, dear. Do we really want to get him involved?
Mrs. Esterly (to Ms. Dvorak): Oh dear. You can't mean...
Ms. Dvorak (to Mrs. Esterly): Yes… Last I heard Grigori was running a casino in the south of France. He owes us both a favor if I do recall… Though, he may still be a bit mad at me for stabbing him. But, it could hardly be helped. It was either that or kill him.
Mrs. Esterly (to Ms. Dvorak): Oh, I hardly think he'll hold a little thing like that against you, dear.
Ms. Dvorak (to Mrs. Esterly): Heh. I was really hoping you weren't going to say that, darling… Who do we know that's young, attractive & looks good in a slinky dress? … I suppose I'll have to resurrect my Duchess cover. I'll need a couple of handsome boys, as well.
Mrs. Esterly (to Ms. Dvorak): Hee hee. I'm sure Miss Kobayashi would be more than happy to have something interesting to do for a change. And we know more than a few lads who will suit your needs, dear.
Ms. Dvorak (to Mrs. Esterly): That we do... If you can wrangle Fox, Aiden & Nate. I'll see if I can get Kobayashi. I'm sure she's going crazy on that tub. Oh, and see if the ogre wants to help. I believe she's had a run-in with Grigori once or twice.
Mrs. Esterly (to Ms. Dvorak): You know Fiona. She's game if there's a chance she can blow something up.
A short time later, at Ms. Dvorak's house; New London, Britannia:
Ms. Dvorak (to Kobayashi, via radio): Kobayashi darling, can you hear me?
Kobayashi (to Ms. Dvorak): Yes, I can hear you. What can I do for you, Ms. Dvorak?
Ms. Dvorak (to Kobayashi): I need you to get yourself back to New London, ASAP. I have a mission for you. I'll brief you upon your arrival.
Kobayashi (to Ms. Dvorak): Oh, alright. I'll be there as quickly as I can. It might take me a few days to get back, I'm currently in the American Colonies.
Meanwhile, at Aiden & Nathaniel's apartment; New London, Britannia:
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Will you stop being pissed at me and fucking listen? I'm not saying that's what we SHOULD do. Like I of all fuckers wanna go hang out with goddamn Hiiri. I'm just saying that as a nuclear option, cluing in Hiiri to Wilkinson's plan might work.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): And, who do you propose we send on this "mission"? What's to stop her from killing whomever gives her this information?
Nathaniel (to Aiden): We know for a fact she doesn't want me dead just yet. She's still got a boner for fucking with the family, so...
Aiden (to Nathaniel): No fucking way! I forbid it!
Nathaniel (to Aiden): You fucking WHAT?! Who the fuck do you think you are? You don't get to fucking forbid me to do SHIT!
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Are you bloody insane!?! She has it in for your family. What's to stop her from gutting you right then & there?
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Yeah, and Wilkinson's trying to fucking DESTROY you and your whole goddamn family, and right now I'm more worried about your fucking ass than mine! What the fuck do you propose we do about that, your high and mighty lordship?!?
Aiden (to Nathaniel): So, sacrificing yourself is the answer, is it? I'm glad to know that you hold your life so bloody dear. There has got to be a better solution than you going. Send fucking Percy or Oliver for god's sake.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Of course I don't wanna fucking get gutted! I thought that if I fucking did it it might get her attention... Jesus unicycle riding Christ! Why the fuck are we even shouting about this shit?! I-- I didn't say I was gonna do it.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): No, but I know you & it's in your bloody head, now. So, when you think it's the only option you're going to go off & do it. And, it is a fucking awful option. I know Wilkinson is targeting my family but he's only human. He can be stopped. Hiiri is something else entirely. She's been stopped before & keeps having backup plans. We need to figure out what those are before we take her out, so that she doesn't return.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): ... Alright. Don't look at me like that. I'm serious. If you think it's a shitty idea, then it's off the table, alright?
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Thank you... I'm sorry I got upset.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): It's fine. Heh. Just... Man, don't TELL me you forbid me from doing something. Gets my inner redneck all riled up.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): So, I noticed... Your high & mighty lordship? Really? I wasn't trying to lord it over you.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): I know. I... Jesus. I'm sorry. That was a low, fucking blow.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Heh... Well, what can one expect from a commoner like you? ... I'm just kidding. God, don't kill me.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Ha ha ha! I'm not insulted. I'm as fucking common as they come. I know that's what you like about me. You like slumming it with me and my horrible manners, and foul mouth, and bad attitude.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Well yes, and your body. Don't forget that. ;-p
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Well, yeah. No shit.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): I hope you don't really think that's why I'm with you, Nate.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Heh. No. Course not. I think you're with me cuz you love me. Me being a hot ass hillbilly is just an added bonus.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Heh. Yes. And, I love you because despite everything you've been through you are one of the kindest, noblest & honorable people I have ever met. I knew all that from the moment we met, and you stood your ground trying to protect Zoe even though the odds were very much against you. And, I don't give a rat's arse where you came from.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Heh. If you say so. I'm fucking nuts about you too. So you know.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Heh. Of that I had no doubt… C'mere.
A couple hours later, at Tesla's Monastery; Colorado Springs, Colorado, American Colonies:
Yukiko (to Victor): Victor! There you are! I've been looking all over for you. I have to get to New London. Ms. Dvorak has a job for me.
Victor (to Yukiko): Heh. Told you someone would need you sooner or later. When does she need you there?
Yukiko (to Victor): She said ASAP. I figured I could take an airship & be there in a few days.
Victor (to Yukiko): I could skip you over there, if you'd rather get there sooner, you know.
Yukiko (to Victor): Oh. Heh. I completely forgot you could do that.
Victor (to Yukiko): Heh. Yeah. Space, time, *realities*... I can screw with them all. I told you there were advantages to dating a freak. :-P
Yukiko (to Victor): I don't think you're a freak, Victor. Well, at least, no more than the rest of us. Sure, you've got a cool ability & all but can you kill a man with a kiss? Cuz, I know how to do that. :-P
Victor (to Yukiko): I might be able to, but I think he might get suspicious when I approach him wearing lipstick. :-P
Yukiko (to Victor): HAHAHA! Fair enough, watashi no ai… Will you skip me to New London? Please? I have a feeling whatever this mission is has something to do with either Wilkinson or Hiiri. So, I'm assuming it's important… Unless, Ms. Dvorak wants me to help her with her little side business, but I don't see how I could help with that. :-P
Victor (to Yukiko): Heh. I dunno about that. You'd be surprised how easy being a con is. Are you ready to go?
Yukiko (to Victor): Yes, of course. I'm always ready to go.
Victor (to Yukiko): Yeah, you are. Alright. I'm going to skip us to Aiden's back garden since that's usually safe. Mrs. Esterly will probably have the inhibitor on, so this might hurt a bit. Take my hands.
Yukiko (to Victor): Alright… Here's a kiss for luck.
Victor (to Yukiko): Wow. Heh. You're going to distract me if you keep on kissing me like that. OK. Clear your mind.
Yukiko (to Victor): Heh. Sorry.
Victor (to Yukiko): Yes, miss. A modicum of decorum, if you please. Heh. Alright... One, two, three...
A moment later, in the back garden, Aiden's house; New London, Britannia:
Victor (to Yukiko): Oof! Ruddy, hell. She has that blasted thing on high.
Yukiko (to Victor): … Woo. That was unpleasant.
Victor (to Yukiko): Are you alright? Yes, I think it's been turned it up since... (to Mrs. Esterly) Mrs. Esterly? It's us! Please don't shoot us.
Yukiko (to Victor): I'm fine. I've felt worse.
Persephone (to Victor & Yukiko): It's not her you have to worry about, Victor… Heh.
Mrs. Esterly (to Victor & Yukiko): Hee hee. She's quite right, dear. Come inside. Honestly, someday you, Joseph and Nathaniel will remember to give us a ring before you show up.
Victor (to Mrs. Esterly): Heh. Sorry, ma'am. (to Persephone) Hey, Seph! Ouch! Damn! What is it with the women in this family and dangerous hugs?
Persephone (to Victor): It's how we know you're unarmed… (to Yukiko) Hello, Yuki.
Yukiko (to Persephone): Hello, Persephone.
Victor (to Persephone): I'm still armed. You need to practice your pick pocketing skills. :-P
Persephone (to Victor): I knew they were there. And, here's your wallet back.
Yukiko (to Mrs. Esterly, Victor & Persephone): Are they always like this?
Mrs. Esterly (to Yukiko): Hee hee. I'm afraid so, dear. Come inside and I'll get you a cup of that tea you like.
Yukiko (to Mrs. Esterly): Thank you.
Victor (to Persephone): And here's your pistol. Hee hee! I missed you, Seph!
Persephone (to Victor): I missed you too, Smartypants!
Mrs. Esterly (to Victor & Persephone): Come along inside you two!
Persephone (to Mrs. Esterly): Yes, ma'am. (to Victor) Come on. We've been having "visitors" lately after our little incident.
Victor (to Persephone): What? What kind of visitors? What "incident" are you talking about?
Persephone (to Victor): Calm down. There's just been folks snooping about. Nothing important… We just took care of that awful Mister Quentin is all.
Victor (to Persephone): Wait. Not, BALTHAZAR Quentin? That psycho that was harassing Nate? Wow... Have you read any of his files? He's goddamn NUTS. Or was, I suppose.
Persephone (to Victor): Yeah, that would be him. Mrs. Esterly did it… You should have seen her, Victor. She was bloody amazing! All business. I'd go join ISS immediately after seeing all that if I didn't think they were a bunch of wankers.
Victor (to Persephone): That they are. You've been bugging the crap out of her to teach you everything she knows, haven't you?
Persephone (to Victor): No… Maybe… Yes… I can't help it. She was amazing. I mean, I've seen your mom in action but this was something else.
Victor (to Persephone): Heh. You should see Yuki sometime. I saw her end a bar fight with a stool.
Persephone (to Victor): Really!?! Would she show me how to do that? That would be totally moo!
Victor (to Persephone): Heh heh. You'd have to ask her.
In the sitting room:
Yukiko (to Mrs. Esterly): So, what exactly is this mission? And, when do we go?
Mrs. Esterly (to Yukiko): We need to go cash in a debt from an old friend, dear. It seems Aiden's brother Roland has managed to get himself into quite a lot of debt. We're looking to purchase it before Mr. Wilkinson can.
Yukiko (to Mrs. Esterly): Oh? And, you need me to do what exactly?
Mrs. Esterly (to Yukiko): Wear a slinky dress and be attractive, dear. Grigori is running a casino in the south of France these days.
Yukiko (to Mrs. Esterly): So, I'm bait?
Winchester (to Yukiko): Quite possibly. But, you're the loveliest bait I've ever seen.
Mrs. Esterly (to Yukiko): Oh yes. Fiona, Winchester, Nathaniel and Aiden will be joining you as well.
Winchester (to Yukiko): Heh. It'll be just like old times, Kobayashi. Only this time try not to get me shot.
Fiona (to Winchester & Yukiko): The way I recall the events, lovely lad, YOU were the one who almost got us shot.
Yukiko (to Winchester): It's bloody well true. If you had stayed still you would have been fine. But, you flinched.
Fiona (to Winchester): Ha ha ha! Awww, poor, ickle pretty boy thought we were going to kill him.
Winchester (to Fiona, Yukiko & Mrs. Esterly): Well, I'm sorry that having a crossbow pointed at my head made me nervous. Next time I'll simply stay still and let you all shoot me, shall I? You ruined a perfectly good suit.
Fiona (to Winchester): Have faith, Fox. I still have use of you. :-P
Winchester (to Fiona): Well, I suppose I shall take consolation in that, firebug.
Yukiko (to Winchester): Hush, you great big baby. (to Victor) Victor, is there a reason why your cousin is staring at me like that?
Victor (to Yukiko): Heh. Sorry. I may have told her about your bar fight. She's got a crush on you now. :-P
Persephone (to Victor): Hush you! (to Yukiko) I don't really. He's exaggerating… I'll just leave you all to it, shall I?
Victor (to Yukiko): Psst. I'm not exaggerating.
Yukiko (to Victor): Heehee… (to Persephone) Persephone, the bar fight wasn't anything special. Just a few rude rednecks. Nothing amazing at all. I swear.
Persephone (to Yukiko & Victor): If you say so… (to Mrs. Esterly, Winchester, Fiona, Yukiko & Victor) Have fun with all your spy stuff.
Fiona (to Winchester): Don't worry, Fox. So long as I'm not bored, I'll make sure you stick around.
Winchester: Note to self, if I want to live a long life… Do not let McGillivray get bored with me.
Fiona (to Winchester): Ha ha ha! That's very good advice.
Yukiko (to Fiona & Winchester): Awww, you two are bloody adorable. When's the wedding? Do I get to be the maid of honor?
Fiona (to Yukiko & Winchester): Yes. We need you to wear a fluffy white dress and shoes with high heels.
Yukiko (to Fiona & Winchester): Won't that clash with Fox's dress?
Winchester (to Yukiko & Fiona): Ha bloody ha. You are a laugh riot. (to Victor) I certainly hope she doesn't talk to you like this, lad.
Victor (to Winchester): Heh. I let her talk to me however she damn well pleases.
Yukiko (to Fiona & Winchester): Heh. I've missed you two reprobates.
Mrs. Esterly (to Winchester, Victor, Yukiko & Fiona): Alright, children. Pipe down. I've got tea and cakes for most of you. And whiskey for you, Fiona, dear.
Yukiko (to Mrs. Esterly): Thank you, Mrs. Esterly.
Fiona (to Mrs. Esterly): Cheers, Artemis.
Winchester (to Mrs. Esterly): Ah, clearly I'm being punished for some terrible slight. I beg your pardon, Mrs. Esterly, for whatever I have done to offend.
Mrs. Esterly (to Winchester): Oh no, dear. I have a sherry for you.
Winchester (to Mrs. Esterly): Oh? You are a darling woman & if I wasn't a known womanizer I would ask you to marry me. ;-)
Mrs. Esterly (to Winchester): Good heavens, boy, save it for some young thing stupid enough to fall for it.
Fiona (to Winchester & Mrs. Esterly): Ha ha ha! She's got your number, Fox!
Winchester (to Mrs. Esterly & Fiona): I am wounded to the quick.
Yukiko (to Victor): Victor, you may want to run off now. It's only going to get worse until the briefing.
Winchester (to Yukiko): Afraid your young man is going to learn about your lascivious past, Kobayashi?
Yukiko (to Winchester): Not at all, Fox. But, I'm sure I could tell everyone about the time we were stuck in Malta & you went off with that "woman".
Victor (to Yukiko & Winchester): Was that when he met my father? I've already heard it… And read the file.
Winchester (to Victor & Yukiko): And, I would have you know that Tano turned out to be quite a big help & a very nice young man… And, that was not when I met your father… That was on my third mission in Malta.
Yukiko (to Victor & Winchester): Yes, he just kept insisting to go back… Lord knows why. ;-P
Victor (to Yukiko & Winchester): So there WAS more than one time. Blast. I owe Mum five pounds!
Winchester (to Victor): What exactly were you making bets on, Mister Victor? Should I be concerned?
Victor (to Winchester): Not at all, Mr. Fox. (to Yukiko) I'll see you when you get back. Have Nate send word if you need an extraction.
Yukiko (to Winchester & Fiona): Pardon me for a moment. (to Victor) Let me walk you out, watashi no ai.
Victor (to Yukiko): ArigatÅ. (to Winchester & Fiona) It was very nice seeing both of you again.
A moment later, in the back garden:
Yukiko (to Victor): Heh. It's alright. He's really going to have to try harder than that to fluster me. You've met my parents, I believe. ;-)
Victor (to Yukiko): I apologize for Fox's behavior, Victor. He enjoys teasing people. I shall miss you terribly while I'm gone.
Yukiko (to Victor): I'm going to miss the bloody hell out of you.
Victor (to Yukiko): I'll be back as quick as I can. I promise.
Yukiko (to Victor): Heh. Good. Have fun! I love you.
Victor (to Yukiko): I love you too, watashi no ai.
A moment later, at Tesla's Monastery; Colorado Springs, Colorado, American Colonies:
Victor: Well. This is... This bloody well sucks.
In the sitting room, in Aiden's house; New London, Britannia:
Winchester (to Yukiko): Kobayashi, you look a little flushed. I hope you didn't do anything too shocking on the doorstep.
Fiona (to Winchester): Bugger off, Fox! (to Yukiko) I hope you DID, wee bit.
Yukiko (to Fiona & Winchester): Bugger off, the both of you.
Fiona (to Yukiko): Ha ha ha! Oh, take your hand off your gun, girl. If you were going to shoot us, you'd have done it by now.
Yukiko (to Fiona & Winchester): Why are you both so keen to know what happens between me & Victor, you perverts?
Winchester (to Yukiko): … I think you may have answered your question with your question, Kobayashi.
Fiona (to Yukiko & Winchester): Ha ha! Well, there's your answer, isn't it? Speaking of perverts, what's taking his lordship so bloody long?
Winchester (to Fiona): I'll give you three guesses & the first two don't count, firebug.
Fiona (to Yukiko & Winchester): Like I need three guesses. Never would have guessed it by talking to him, would you? Are we sure Wilkes wasn't replaced by an automaton at some point?
Nathaniel (to Fiona, Winchester & Yukiko): He's not. I checked.
Aiden (to Fiona, Winchester & Yukiko): Quite thoroughly, I might add.
Yukiko (to Nathaniel & Aiden): HAHAHA… And there's an image that's never going to leave my brain.
Nathaniel (to Yukiko): You're welcome. :-P
Yukiko (to Nathaniel & Aiden): … Do you mind women in the room? Possibly, a camera? For personal use, mind you.
Nathaniel (to Yukiko & Aiden): Wouldn't be the first time.
Aiden (to Yukiko & Nathaniel): Kobayashi! I didn't think you would resort to that sort of thing… And, you know perfectly well we don't mind. Oh look, I think we may have broken Fox & McGillivray.
Winchester (to Fiona): Perhaps, they're all automatons. That can be the only explanation.
Fiona (to Winchester): I don't know. I think I should do a bit of first hand surveillance just to be certain.
Nathaniel (to Winchester & Fiona): Ha ha ha! Nice to see you guys again.
Winchester (to Nathaniel): Nice to see you, too.
Yukiko (to Fiona): Fi, is it wrong that I am now picturing the three of them making out with each other? I fear that it is. ;-P
Fiona (to Yukiko): No. Not at all. (to Winchester, Aiden & Nathaniel) Go ahead, lads! Give us a show. Make us some babies!
Yukiko (to Fiona): Shall I go make popcorn?
Fiona (to Yukiko): Good God, I hope so.
Nathaniel (to Fiona, Yukiko, Winchester): Seriously. Red there couldn't handle my ass. He might get bruised. :-P
Aiden (to Fiona, Yukiko & Winchester): It's true… You'd need a priest to handle his freaky ass. ;-P
Winchester (to Fiona & Yukiko): You do realize that I am not interested in other gentlemen, right? Now, if you two ladies wanted some fun. ;-P
Yukiko (to Winchester): Good god, no, Fox. I know where you've been. (to Fiona) No offense, Fi.
Winchester (to Fiona, Nathaniel, Aiden & Yukiko): Alright! I quit… You win. The image of all of that is just too much. Give me that bottle of sherry. I'm going to the guest room & drinking until I can't remember that entire conversation.
Yukiko (to Nathaniel, Aiden & Fiona): Heehee. I don't think I've ever seen Fox like that. Good job, you two!
Nathaniel (to Yukiko): Heh. Glad we could be of service.
Aiden (to Yukiko): Heh. I feel somehow lighter, like a great weight has been lifted. ;-)
Fiona (to Nathaniel, Aiden & Yukiko): Oi! That sneaky bugger took my whiskey! Scuse me, lovelies. I've got to go see him about that.
Yukiko (to Fiona): Heh. I bet you do.
Fiona (to Yukiko): What's the matter, Kobayashi? Afraid you can't be trusted alone with these two lads?
Yukiko (to Fiona): It's not like it hasn't happened before, McGillivray… They're both quite attentive. ;-P
Aiden (to Yukiko & Fiona): Do not drag me into your depraved game of perversity.
Fiona (to Yukiko): Ha ha! Somehow I think the lot of you will survive the night with your dignity in tact. Ha! I know for a fact you prefer what you have at home. :-P (to Aiden, Nathaniel & Yukiko) Good night, wee ones! I'm off to see a man about some whiskey.
Nathaniel (to Aiden & Yukiko): Wow.
Aiden (to Nathaniel & Yukiko): Sorry about that, Nate. That's why spies tend to be solitary creatures.
Yukiko (to Aiden & Nathaniel): Especially, before a briefing. Tomorrow, we'll be all business.
Nathaniel (to Aiden & Yukiko): Heh. That's not it... McGillivray and Fox got it BAD for one another, huh? You know how sometimes you meet someone and you think, "Holy shit, who the FUCK could ever put up with you?" Whole buncha shit just started making sense, that's all.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Wait... You think the two of them are dating?
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Dating? Heh. Fuck no. Not that they'd admit. But that whole, "Ooo! Let's flirt with the gay boys and watch them make out" display? Yeah. SO not about us.
Yukiko (to Nathaniel & Aiden): Bloody hell! Things just started to make so much sense. Um, I'd like to point out that I was all for that, as well.
Aiden (to Yukiko & Nathaniel): You don't bloody well count, Kobayashi. You've already seen us both in our all-together.
Nathaniel (to Yukiko & Aiden): Yeah. You're just a pervert.
Yukiko (to Nathaniel): Thanks for that, I guess.
Aiden (to Yukiko): You are very welcome.
Nathaniel (to Yukiko & Aiden): Yeah, yeah. I'd be more scandalized if I didn't know you were WAY more interested in what you got waiting for you at home. Or do you have some dudes-making-out fetish I should tell Victor about now? Heh... Ouch!
Yukiko (to Nathaniel): Seriously? Who doesn't have a hot men making out with each other fetish? Ask any woman. I dare you.
Nathaniel (to Yukiko & Aiden): Ha ha ha! Yeah, this may shock you, but I don't generally go around asking women how to turn them on.
Aiden (to Yukiko): You heterosexuals & your perversions. Something really should be done about them. ;-p
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Heh. You are suck a snarky asshole sometimes. I fucking love you! C'mon. Show us where you hide the liquor in this place.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Heh. I believe that would be the liquor cabinet. It's the key with the red x.
Nathaniel (to Yukiko & Aiden): Got it. You want in on this, Yoyo?
Yukiko (to Aiden & Nathaniel): Heh. I think I'll leave you two your drinking. I assume I'm in the usual room. If I had known we weren't going off until later, I'd have asked Victor to stay.
Aiden (to Yukiko): Yes, the attic room is set for you. Persephone tidied it up earlier. (to Nathaniel) Pour me a glass, handsome?
Nathaniel (to Aiden): As you wish. Here you go.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Thank you.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): You're welcome. Heh heh... You're fucking sexy when you're being a sarcastic ass, you know that? To someone else, I mean. :-P
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Heh. I'm glad you think so. I used to just stand there & not participate but it made people uncomfortable, apparently. Ever since I met this foul-mouthed, handsome man I've been feeling more like expressing myself out loud. He's clearly a terrible influence on me. ;-)
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Mmm. Clearly. I'll bet he's the untrustworthy sort.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): More than likely... Are you seriously unbuttoning my shirt? I thought you'd be tired after earlier.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Not that tired. ... You want me to stop?
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Not at all. But, shouldn't we go upstairs to the bedroom?
Nathaniel (to Aiden): I suppose so. Heh. The way I was figuring it, everyone was saying they wanted a show. It's their own fault if they get one. Come on.
A little while later, in the attic guest room, Aiden's house; New London, Britannia:
Yukiko: ... Shit. I forgot how much I hate sleeping alone... (to Victor, via radio) Victor? If you can hear me. I'm on the roof... And I miss you.
Victor (to Yukiko): Hey! I was... Sod it. I was having trouble sleeping. Are you alright?
Yukiko (to Victor): I was having trouble sleeping, too... I need you, Victor. I don't like sleeping without you.
Victor (to Yukiko): You said you're on the roof? I can be there in a moment or two. Heh. Just don't stand too close to the edge.
Yukiko (to Victor): There's a little landing up here.
A moment later:
Victor (to Yukiko): ...Hey! Oof! ...Goddamn that inhibitor! I swear she has it set that high on purpose.
Yukiko (to Victor): Heh. Probably... I'm so glad to see you. I know it's silly but I missed you.
Victor (to Yukiko): Heh. I missed you too. I was actually just sitting alone in my bunk pouting about it. :-P
Yukiko (to Victor): Well, apparently we're not having the briefing until tomorrow so... Will you stay tonight?
Victor (to Yukiko): I was hoping you'd ask me that. Of course.
Yukiko (to Victor): Good...
