At Casino de la Renard; Nice, French Republic:
Ariadne (to Ji Yong): Good morning, Mister Park. You look very handsome and very overdressed for where we're going.
Ji Yong (to Ariadne): Oh. I'm sorry. How should I be dressed?
Ariadne (to Ji Yong): It's going to be a bit sweltering where we're going… Ever been to New Orleans?
Ji Yong (to Ariadne): I don't believe so.
Ariadne (to Ji Yong): Well, we need to go. I want to be back before dinner. I have a bit of a date.
Ji Yong (to Ariadne): Ms. Fenris? I don't believe we can make it from Nice to the States and back again before dinner.
Ariadne (to Ji Yong): Heehee. That's where you're wrong… Take my hand, please.
Ji Yong (to Ariadne): ... I don't understand, but I will do as I say.
Ariadne (to Ji Yong): Good… 1… 2… 3…
A moment later, in an alley; New Orleans, French Territories:
Ariadne (to Ji Yong): Oof… Is the coast clear? Heh. Welcome to New Orleans?
Ji Yong (to Ariadne): Sacré bleu! Que se passe-t-il? Où sommes-nous? ... I beg your pardon... We're in New Orleans?
Ariadne (to Ji Yong): Oui! I promised a friend that I would check someone out… Do you want to explore a bit or get right to it?
Ji Yong (to Ariadne): I understand why you said I would be overdressed… Is it proper to remove one's jacket? I don't know much about the States.
Ariadne (to Ji Yong): Heehee. I think it's alright. Look around you, there's a lot of folks dressed fairly casual.
Ji Yong (to Ariadne): That doesn't mean it's proper conduct. However, you are correct. Who are we looking for?
Ariadne (to Ji Yong): A Miss Maisie Baldwin… I have an address of the café she runs. I'm just supposed to check her & the place out & see if it's being watched by anyone suspicious. And then, we go back. If we're lucky, it'll be uneventful.
Ji Yong (to Ariadne): Very good. I shall do as you say, Ms. Fenris.
Ariadne (to Ji Yong): Heh. I think this is the most you ever spoken to me, Mister Yo-- Can I just call you Park? I mean, we're not at work & we have been intimate… Or is this another one of your rules?
Ji Yong (to Ariadne): Of course not. I have no problem with people calling me Park or Park-Ji. It's just that very few people do. Our employer says it's because I don't foster an "atmosphere of commodore" with people. When I first began working for him, he encouraged me to take a French first name.
Ariadne (to Ji Yong): Oh? Did you?
Ji Yong (to Ariadne): No. I saw no reason. I very much doubt that calling myself Pascal or Phillipe would change anyone's opinion of me.
Ariadne (to Ji Yong): … It's okay. Heehee. Park isn't really your first name anyway. I just realized you put up with it without saying a word. Park is your family name… Ji Yong is your name. I'm so sorry. I should have figured that out earlier. I'm an idiot. You're a funny one.
Ji Yong (to Ariadne): It's a common mistake. The way Western names are structured is different from Korean ones. It doesn't make you stupid. You're not the only one to find me strange.
Ariadne (to Ji Yong): ... Ji Yong, you are catnip to a girl like me. This looks like the place. Let's get a cafe au lait & see what we can see.
Ji Yong (to Ariadne): ...Catnip? I'm not sure I understand. After you, miss.
Ariadne (to Ji Yong): Heh. Quiet, damaged & handsome. Yep, totally catnip.
Ji Yong (to Ariadne): ... As you say.
At Mama Samedi's; New Orleans, French Colonies:
Inger (to Maisie): Are you Maisie Baldwin?
Maisie (to Inger): I am. Who be wantin' to know?
Inger (to Maisie): I need you to come with me, ma'am.
Maisie (to Inger): I am thinkin' no.
Ji Yong (to Maisie & Inger): Excusez-moi, madame. E'cette femme vous tracasse?
Maisie (to Ji Yong): Seulement légèrement, monsieur. Je suis désolé pour le dérangement. (to Inger) Please, Miss, you need to leave. My husband, Gus, will be escorting you & your men out if need be.
Ji Yong (to Maisie & Inger): Bien sûr. Je suis désolé de vous interrompre.
Inger (to Maisie & Ji Yong): Have it your way… We'll be back.
Maisie (to Inger): I've heard it all before. (to Ji Yong) Merci, Monsieur. Allow me to offer you & your young miss a bottle of wine to apologize.
Ji Yong (to Inger): Au revoir. (to Maisie) I apologize if I have overstepped what is considered polite, but I detest bullies.
Maisie (to Ji Yong): It's fine. I've been dealing with bullies my whole life. I'm just sorry that you & your lady's date was disturbed. She's a pretty one… Red or White?
Ji Yong (to Maisie): I'm sure Ms. Fenris would be most appreciative of a bottle of wine. I believe she prefers red, madame.
Maisie (to Ji Yong): I know just the one. I'll bring it to your table, along with some fresh bread, butter & honey.
Ji Yong (to Ariadne): Merci beaucoup.
A moment later:
Ji Yong (to Ariadne): Mme. Baldwin is bringing us some wine, bread and honey.
Ariadne (to Ji Yong): Oh… That's nice of her. What do you think of her?
Ji Yong (to Ariadne): I think she is a woman accustomed to doing what must be done. Who is she?
Ariadne (to Ji Yong): I'm not really sure. A friend of mine asked me to check her out. We don't have to stay. I'm sure you have something else to do.
Ji Yong (to Ariadne): I am here until you decide to return me to Nice, am I not?
Ariadne (to Ji Yong): Well yes, but I can bring you back now if you want to go. Just say the word… Or are you enjoying yourself?
Maisie (to Ji Yong & Ariadne): Here we are, Monsieur et Madamemoiselle. I am very sorry for the disturbance.
Ji Yong (to Maisie): Encore une fois, je vous remercie beaucoup.
Ariadne (to Maisie & Ji Yong): Thank you, Madame.
Ji Yong (to Ariadne): ... This wine is drugged.
Ariadne (to Ji Yong): … Shit. What should we do?
Ji Yong (to Ariadne): We touch nothing. When she returns to "check on us" we confront her. ...Unless you have a better suggestion.
Ariadne (to Ji Yong): No, I'll follow your lead.
Maisie (to Ariadne & Ji Yong): … How is the wine? Is there something wrong with it?
Ji Yong (to Maisie): Oui, madame. It's been drugged.
Maisie (to Ji Yong & Ariadne): … That can't be right. I took this bottle out of my personal reserve… I am very sorry. I need to find out what's going on in the kitchen.
Ji Yong (to Maisie & Ariadne): I'd be very surprised if I were mistaken, madame. It's my business to notice such things. Or you could tell us why you could be trying to drug us, madame. We're here on vacation, and have no interest in local politics. However, this turn of events is making me lose patience...
Maisie (to Ji Yong & Ariadne): … You're not like the other men Devereaux have sent before. They don't usually send such pretty ones or women. I'm still not going to sell. So just tell him to push off.
Ji Yong (to Maisie & Ariadne): I'm not here on the behest of anyone named Devenreaux. I will tell you plainly, madame. I only operate out of Nice on the behest Mr. Rodchenko these days. If I were here on a contract, you would be dead by now, and I would have never allowed you to serve me.
Maisie (to Ji Yong & Ariadne): Well then, I beg your pardon… I suggest you leave now.
Ariadne (to Ji Yong & Maisie): Come on, Ji Yong, we should go.
Ji Yong (to Ariadne): As you say, Ariadne. (to Maisie) À bientôt.
A moment later:
Ji Yong (to Ariadne): I'm sorry for calling you by your first name. I thought addressing you formally would ruin the illusion we were here on vacation.
Ariadne (to Ji Yong): It's alright. I actually didn't know if you even knew what it was… So, what just happened?
Ji Yong (to Ariadne): Your first name is Ariadne, your friends call you Hari, and our employer calls you sestrenka as a term of endearment. She thought we had been sent by someone named Devereaux. She's clearly involved in something illegal or disreputable. I'm sure it wouldn't be difficult to find out why... Unless this is more than you were seeking to learn about Mme Baldwin.
Ariadne (to Ji Yong): No. I think I've learned everything I need to know. We can head back to Nice, if you like.
Ji Yong (to Ariadne): It's up to you, Ms. Fenris. As I said, I will follow your lead on this matter.
Ariadne (to Ji Yong): … Really? So, if I said that I wanted to get a hotel room and enjoy our "vacation", you'd say yes?
Ji Yong (to Ariadne): If you were interested... I thought you had to get back to Nice before dinner.
Ariadne (to Ji Yong): Honestly, I'd rather spend time with you, Ji Yong.
Ji Yong (to Ariadne): This is agreeable to me. I do enjoy your company… You are a very unusual young lady, Miss Fenris.
Ariadne (to Ji Yong): … I'm still getting used to being on this side full time. I forget that I don't belong here. I'm sorry if I say odd things sometimes. What would you like to see or do? Completely your choice.
Ji Yong (to Ariadne): ...I'm confused. I thought that you were implying that you wished to... Ah. I'm sorry. I assumed. My mistake, I can think of no sights I wish to see.
Ariadne (to Ji Yong): … Oh no, I'm willing to go to a room with you. I'm sorry. I was just feeling homesick. You don't want to hear that sort of thing. Sometimes, I just wish I had someone to give me a hug & tell me it's going to be okay. And, you're clearly not that kind of person.
Ji Yong (to Ariadne): No. I'm sorry. I'm not.
Ariadne (to Ji Yong): Everything is so cut & dry with you… Do you ever want to do something impulsive or spontaneous? Or do you have to follow a certain set of rules?
Ji Yong (to Ariadne): I wouldn't say it's a particular set of rules. Ms. Fenris. I just have no desire to emotionally or physically mislead someone about what they can expect. I apologize if this seems "cut and dry" to you.
Ariadne (to Ji Yong): … That's total and utter bullshit.
Ji Yong (to Ariadne): I beg your pardon?
Ariadne (to Ji Yong): You say that but you want some sort of human connection with someone just as much as anyone. Otherwise, you wouldn't be upset by how others perceive you.
Ji Yong (to Ariadne): ... What makes you think I'm concerned with how others perceive me?
Ariadne (to Ji Yong): Because, you remember them doing it… I like you just the way you are, just so you know.
Ji Yong (to Ariadne): ...Perhaps I do long for something more sometimes. It's a passing fancy. I'm nothing, Ms. Fenris. All that I am, is what I can do.
Ariadne (to Ji Yong): That's kind of sad... There's a hotel with balconies. Interested or have I killed the mood?
Ji Yong (to Ariadne): It might be sad, but it's a kind of clarity few have in their lives. I'm still interested.
Ariadne (to Ji Yong): Good... I like spending time with you even if it doesn't mean anything.
Ji Yong (to Ariadne): I very much hope that is sincere, Ms. Fenris. I have a lot of respect for you, and it would distress me if you... I don't wish to mislead you.
Ariadne (to Ji Yong): I understand completely. You enjoy having sex with me but that's all it is... So, we're not exclusive then, right? I just don't want to mislead you, either. I mean, I am standing up Monsieur Walliams to be here with you.
Ji Yong (to Ariadne): No. I wasn't going to impose such restrictions on you. Is that agreeable?
Ariadne (to Ji Yong): Yes, that's fine. I just like to have all the cards on the table beforehand.
Ji Yong (to Ariadne): That is quite agreeable to me. Shall we?
Ariadne (to Ji Yong): Yes, of course... Do you think we can get a bottle of wine first?
Ji Yong (to Ariadne): Of course. As you wish.
A few hours later, at Aiden's house; New London, Britannia:
Lily (to Aiden): Daddy?
Aiden (to Lily): ... Huh? Lily? What's wrong?
Lily (to Aiden): I had a bad dream. Can I stay with you & second daddy?
Nathaniel (to Lily & Aiden): ... Huh? ...Wha th' fuck's wrong? What's goin' on? Y'all alright?
Aiden (to Lily): I think you might be a little too old for that sort of thing but you've had a traumatic week. So, this one time, ok? (to Nathaniel) It's okay, Nate. Lily had a bad dream. She wanted to stay in here with us this one time.
Nathaniel (to Lily & Aiden): Huh? Yeah. S'alright with me, Lil' Bit. Hop up. S'not like we ain't got the room...
Lily (to Aiden & Nathaniel): I promise I won't ask again.
Nathaniel (to Lily): Heh. S'no big deal... <yawn> 'Sides, not like I've never had nightmares before...
Lily (to Aiden & Nathaniel): Thank you. Good night, daddies.
Aiden (to Lily): Good night, sweetheart. (to Nathaniel) Good night, handsome.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Mmm... Night, sexy. (to Lily) Night, Lil' Bit. (to Aiden & Lily) Heh. I love both you assholes...
Lily (to Aiden & Nathaniel): Heehee.
Nathaniel (to Lily & Aiden): Yeah, yeah. I'm hilarious. Everyone go to sleep...
