At Aiden's house; New London, Britannia:
Nathaniel (to Mrs. Esterly): Mrs. Esterly? What's going...
Mrs. Esterly (to Nathaniel): No time to chat, lad! We have no food in this ruddy house. See what you can do about breakfast, won't you? Thank you, dear!
Nathaniel (to Mrs. Esterly): Oh. Um, yeah. Alright... Jesus Christ. She can move fast for an old lady.
A short time later:
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Good morning, handsome. Did Mrs. Esterly stick you with breakfast duty?
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Morning. Heh. Yeah. She rushed out first thing this morning to get some supplies. I'm making crepes. Where's the little bit?
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Still sleeping. I checked on her before I came down. She is dead to the world. I'm sure she didn't sleep on her travels. It still amazes me that she made it all this way on her own.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): I'm not that surprised. She seems pretty damn smart. How're you holding up?
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Alright, I suppose. I'm still kind of reeling from all of this.
An hour or so later:
Lily (to Aiden & Nathaniel): Good morning, new Daddies! Oh! Heh. It's afternoon. I'm sorry I slept so late.
Nathaniel (to Lily & Aiden): It's alright. You hungry?
Aiden (to Lily): Heh. You're awfully chipper. Did you sleep well?
Lily (to Nathaniel): I'm starving. I could eat a horse. (to Aiden) It was the best sleep I've ever had. I feel like Mary from Secret Garden.
Aiden (to Lily): ... I thought Mary hated Misselthwaite Manor at first. It has been quite sometime since I read it, though.
Lily (to Aiden): Heehee. She did but I couldn't think of a better comparison.
Aiden (to Lily): Heh. Fair enough.
Nathaniel (to Lily & Aiden): Heh. I have no idea what you two are talking about. Here.
Lily (to Nathaniel): Thank you, Second Daddy. :-P
Nathaniel (to Lily): I have no idea what the fuuu--fudge... What the fudge to say to that. Just frickin' eat!
Aiden (to Lily & Nathaniel): Heh. You're really enjoying this, aren't you, Lily? (to Nathaniel) You're very cute when you're flustered, you know that?
Lily (to Aiden & Nathaniel): ... Yes? No one ever asks me about the books I'm reading or makes... whatever this is. It's very good!
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Yeah, yeah. (to Lily) Crepes. They're kinda like French pancakes.
Lily (to Aiden & Nathaniel): Oh... I've never had French anything before. It was always oatmeal for breakfast... And Brendan always stole half of mine.
Nathaniel (to Lily): ... Brendan sounds like a dick.
Lily (to Nathaniel): ... If that means what I think it means. Then yes, he is.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): ... Nate? Seriously?
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Oh shit! Sorry. I mean... crap. Sorry. (to Lily) Forget I said that.
Lily (to Nathaniel & Aiden): Heehee.
Nathaniel (to Lily): Sorry, kiddo. I'm not used to having to watch my mouth.
Lily (to Nathaniel): It's okay. Papa would swear up a storm whenever he was ranting about the aristocracy & taxes.
Nathaniel (to Lily): ...Your adopted dad wasn't a fan of the aristocracy, huh?
Lily (to Nathaniel): No, not at all. He said they were cousin-lovin' knobs.
Nathaniel (to Lily): Ha ha ha! Oh... Oh. Heh heh. (to Aiden) Sorry, sexy. I'm sure your cousins never loved each other.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Who are we kidding? They probably did... (to Lily) You do realize that you are descended from aristocracy, right? My father, your grandfather is a Lord. I've renounced my claim to the title but that's our family. :-)
Lily (to Aiden & Nathaniel): ... Oh. Was my mother?
Aiden (to Lily): ... No, she was far from it. She was a tavern girl... She died in childbirth.
Nathaniel (to Lily & Aiden): Aiden was really young at the time...
Lily (to Aiden & Nathaniel): Oh... So, Miss Persephone isn't my mom? Okay... I'm fine with all that.
Aiden (to Lily): Heh. You are clearly my child. :-P
Nathaniel (to Lily & Aiden): Heh heh! No. Sorry to disappoint you, but she's not your mom. She's my cousin.
Lily (to Nathaniel & Aiden): Heehee... Well, that explains a lot.
Nathaniel (to Lily): Does it? Heh heh... Yeah. It probably does.
Lily (to Aiden & Nathaniel): Can I see the books now?
Aiden (to Lily): Heh. Yes, I think that can be arranged. (to Nathaniel) Nate, do you mind tidying up?
Nathaniel (to Aiden & Lily): Nah. I don't mind. Go raid the library.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Heh. I have a feeling we'll be in there for awhile.
Nathaniel (to Aiden & Lily): Ha ha ha! You say that as if I wasn't expecting that already. Go to it book geeks.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Give me a kiss… (to Lily) Lily? Avert your eyes. :-)
Lily (to Aiden & Nathaniel): Heehee… I've seen people kissing before, Daddy.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Heh. Listen to your kid... C'mere.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): I love you… (to Lily) Come, sweetheart, let's go see about some books.
A couple hours later:
Mrs. Esterly (to Nathaniel): Whoo! Good heavens! It's been quite a while since I've had to buy that much food. Hello, Nathaniel, dear. Hee hee. I see you've been left with all the dishes. Let me get all this put away, and I'll help you.
Persephone (to Mrs. Esterly & Nathaniel): Hello beautiful people! How is everyone this fine day? Isn't it simply splendid?
Nathaniel (to Persephone): Heh. You're in a fucking good ass mood.
Persephone (to Nathaniel): And, why shouldn't I be? I just spent a marvelous time with my boyfriend... He wants us to move in together. I said I had to think about it... I really want to say yes but I don't want to live on that side. I'm not sure what to do... Is there something to drink?
Nathaniel (to Persephone): Heh heh heh. Yeah. Hold on. I'll get you something.
Persephone (to Nathaniel): Thank you. What am I going to do?
Nathaniel (to Persephone): Fucked if I know. You really don't wanna spend any time over on the other side? Might be worth trying for a bit.
Persephone (to Nathaniel): Heh. That's exactly what Joseph said... But, who will be here to help out with Lilian?
Nathaniel (to Persephone): Heh. Yeah. I'm not gonna complain if you help with the Lil' Bit... Jesus.God knows I have no fuckin' clue what I'm doing.
Persephone (to Nathaniel): Heehee. Says the youngest of his family. :-p
Nathaniel (to Persephone): Yeah. No shit. I figured I was kinda the quintessential youngest kid. At least I don't have to change any diapers. ...Oh Jesus... Thank fucking GOD I don't have to change any diapers...
Persephone (to Nathaniel): Yeah, you just have to deal with her teenage years. Yay you! Heh. Maybe, I should take Joseph up on his offer.
Nathaniel (to Persephone): Do whatever's gonna make you happy. Life's too fucking short. ...Shit. I hope I know what the fuck I'm doing by the time she's a teenager... She's pretty fucking smart. Goddamn. She's already probably teenage mentality by now. Poor kid is so fucking screwed...
Persephone (to Nathaniel): Heehee. You've only had her here for a day & you've already forgotten that you're not much older than her. Relax, dumbie. Just love her & make sure she doesn't do anything stupid. You'll be fine. Besides, she's a Wilkes. You know how to deal with them. Well, most of the time. :-p
Nathaniel (to Persephone): Heh. Depends on the Wilkes. I can deal with Aiden. Every time I deal with Roland I have to come up with Very Good Reasons not to punch him in his stupid, smug-ass face... Heh. You know, she was kinda disappointed you weren't her mom.
Persephone (to Nathaniel): That's just because I'm gorgeous & found her on the street... You'll need to get her enrolled in school. Are you guys going to keep her here or take her with you to West Piedmont?
Nathaniel (to Persephone): Heh. Don't forget how fucking humble you are. ...I don't know where we're gonna stay with her. Anyway you look at it we're kinda fucking boned. If we stay here, where no one is gonna think twice about us havin' a kid we're callin' our own at our ages, we're gonna get the hairy fuckin' eyeball for being two dudes. If we take her to West Piedmont where the same sex thing isn't a problem, then we're getting guff cuz of our age. And we got Mrs. Esterly here. And my aunt and uncle... I don't know. Would she even wanna go to West Piedmont? I mean, she's from HERE. Fuck. I don't know...
Persephone (to Nathaniel): Heehee. So, what you're saying is that you need me to stay... If the two of you walk around with Lilian here, no one will give you trouble about your relationship. You will be put into the "friend" column & they will move on. Besides, Aiden is known to be a bachelor. Everyone knows what that means, they just don't like to talk about it.
Nathaniel (to Persephone): Ha ha ha! Yeah. Yeah. I guess so. You know, you could always ask Joe to stay here with you. It's not like there isn't room.
Persephone (to Nathaniel): Oh... You don't think Aiden would mind?
Nathaniel (to Persephone): I dunno. You'd have to ask him, of course, but if you're gonna help with Lilian, I can't imagine he'd complain too much. Besides, it's not like he didn't shack up with his boyfriend too. :-P
Persephone (to Nathaniel): Heehee. Thank you! That's a wonderful suggestion. I'll ask him tomorrow.
Nathaniel (to Persephone): Heh. It's fuckin' nothing. Make sure to mention you wanna help with the Lil' Bit. ...He likes her a lot. A LOT, a lot.
Persephone (to Nathaniel): Well, that's good. She's his daughter, after all. She's got to be on cloud nine discovering that he's her dad. I know I would be. Who wouldn't want to find out that your real father is handsome, smart & "exotic"?
Nathaniel (to Persephone): ... Mmm. Yeah. That's true. Heh. She seems pretty over the fucking moon. She even started callin' me "Daddy # 2."
Persephone (to Nathaniel): Heehee. I like her even more... We should introduce her to George & Charles. She needs to meet some people her own age. It'll help her adjust to her new surroundings a bit easier. Oh, and she's going to need some new clothes.
Nathaniel (to Persephone): Shit! Yeah she is... She showed up with like nothing. Poor kid. Heh. I know how that feels. Course, I wasn't fucking 10. 11, max... Jesus. I'm gonna fucking throttle Roland when I... Never mind.
Persephone (to Nathaniel): She's a survivor. She's going to be ok. I mean, look who she's got to help her through all of this. She's pretty damn lucky. Now, why don't you stop kvetching out here & go be with your little family.
Nathaniel (to Persephone): Heh. Yeah, you're fucking right. ... Thanks. See you later.
Several hours, at Casino de la Renard; Nice, French Republic:
Ariadne (to Ji Yong): Excuse me, Mister Yong. I'm sorry to interrupt but there's a Madame Lambert that is asking for you to visit her table. Do you need any assistance? I can play the jealous mistress.
Ji Yong (to Ariadne): Merde. Thank you, Miss Fenris. I will see what she wants. I'm not sure I understand... Ah. You would pretend to be my mistress. I'm not sure it would do any good. I have explained to her on multiple occasions, that I am not interested in pursuing any kind of relationship with her. I am not sure why she persists.
Ariadne (to Ji Yong): Heehee. Because, she doesn't see you with anyone. Until she does, she'll continue to think she has a chance... Go over. I'll join you in two minutes & just go along with whatever I say. I guarantee she'll stop but continue to spend money here.
Ji Yong (to Ariadne): I fail to see why this will make a difference, but I'll do as you say. If it keeps that -- that woman from being a nuisance. I am more than willing to try it your way.
Ariadne (to Ji Yong): Heh. Wait a moment. Let me fix your tie.
Ji Yong (to Ariadne): What is wrong with my tie?
Ariadne (to Ji Yong): Nothing. I just need her to see me adjust it. Trust me... How can someone who spends all their time watching people still not know anything about human behavior? It's hard to believe you're the same man who-- nevermind. Just hold still.
Ji Yong (to Ariadne): ... As you say.
Ariadne (to Ji Yong): Now, kiss my cheek & then go over to her table.
Ji Yong (to Ariadne): ... We are in public, and working. Fine. I said I would follow your lead.
Ariadne: I swear, I think that man is an alien.
A couple minutes later:
Ariadne (to Madame Lambert & Ji Yong): Oh, Madame Lambert! I didn't realize that I stole Monsieur Yong from you! I am so sorry! But to be honest, there's not a man in here that hasn't had his eye on you.
Madame Lambert (to Ariadne): Really!?! You're just saying that, Mademoiselle.
Ariadne (to Madame Lambert & Ji Yong): Honestly, how could I ever compete with a woman of such grace, beauty & experience? I beg your forgiveness. Allow me to buy you a bottle of champagne to show my attrition...
Madame Lambert (to Ariadne): Don't be silly, my dear. You are a lovely young woman.
Ariadne (to Madame Lambert): You are too kind... (to Ji Yong) There. All better. Now say Merci, Miss Fenris.
Ji Yong (to Ariadne): Yes... We shall see if that keep her from expressing her -- interest in me. I thank you for your attempt, Ms. Fenris.
Ariadne (to Ji Yong): Have a little faith, Par-- Mister Yong. Madame Lambert used to be quite a beauty. She's used to being the object of attention. She is feeling old & insecure. She just wants to feel attractive again. She may flirt with you still but not with so much gusto. And, having you spoken for means you can let her down easy without it being because of her. It saves face.
Ji Yong (to Ariadne): ... Ah. I understand now. Thank you.
Ariadne (to Ji Yong): You're welcome. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go see Mr. Horowitz at table 34. He has been winning a little too much.
Ji Yong (to Ariadne): He has indeed. Very good, Ms. Fenris.
At Aiden's house; New London, Britannia:
Lily (to Aiden): Heehee. Can you make a paper sword to go with the paper hat, Daddy?
Aiden (to Lily): I'm not sure but I'll give it a try.
Nathaniel (to Aiden & Lily): Ha ha ha! Love the hats. Am I interrupting?
Aiden (to Nathaniel & Lily): Not at all. I was showing, Lily, Treasure Island & we were being pirates.
Lily (to Nathaniel & Aiden): Arrrrr.
Nathaniel (to Aiden & Lily): Heh. Treasure Island I've fu--frickin' read. Permission to come aboard, Captain?
Aiden (to Nathaniel & Lily): Heh. I worry what will happen when she meets actual pirates. :-p
Lily (to Nathaniel): Permission granted, me hearty.
Nathaniel (to Lily): Avast. Thanks, Captain Lilian. I've got an uncle who's a pirate captain, you know.
Lily (to Nathaniel & Aiden): Really!?! Can I meet him, sometime?
Nathaniel (to Lily): Heh. Sure. If you'd like. I'm sure they'd love to meet you. I think my cousin is a pirate by now too...
Lily (to Nathaniel & Aiden): Really!?! This is the best family ever!
Aiden (to Lily): Oof! I didn't realize that deserved a hug. Heh. I think you're pretty special, too. (to Nathaniel) I think you just became her favorite dad. :-)
Nathaniel (to Lily): Oh! Um... Heh. Wait 'til you've met them before you decide that. (to Aiden) That's cuz she hasn't met your spy friends.
Lily (to Nathaniel & Aiden): You have spy friends? This is all so amazing!
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Heh. We're doomed... (to Lily) Why don't you get ready for bed? I'll be up to tuck you in, in a few minutes, ok?
Lily (to Aiden & Nathaniel): Okay. Can we read some of Treasure Island?
Aiden (to Lily & Nathaniel): I think I can handle that.
Nathaniel (to Lily): Oof! I'm getting a hug too, huh? Heh. See you in a bit.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Come here, handsome.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Yeah… Sorry I spilled the beans about the ISS gang.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): It's alright. If we're lucky she'll forget about it once she meets your family.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Fat chance. She's got your family's brains, for sure.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Heh. I did notice that. Poor kid. :-p
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Heh. It's the only thing we can thank Roland for, if you ask me... You're fuckin' awesome. Ready to head to bed?
Aiden (to Nathaniel): In just a minute... I know this is might be silly but... Nathaniel Zachariah Jones, will you do me the honor of marrying me? I know it will only count on the other side but I can't imagine being with anyone else.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): I... You want to what? Oh. Oh Jesus... I didn't think you'd... Heh heh. You kinda shocked the shit outta me just then. Yes. Of course it's a fucking yes...
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Wonderful... I was a bit worried you were going to say fuck no.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): If I did, all the reasons would be fucking stupid and self-depreciating and really fucking stupid. I love you. And I wanna be with you for as long as you'll fucking have me.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): I love you too. Let's go put Lily to bed & then, celebrate.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Heh. That sounds fucking amazing. C'mere for a second.
