At Roland's house; New London, Britannia:
Roland: Oh ruddy hell...
At Casino de la Renard; Nice, French Republic:
Ariadne (to Ji Yong): Ji Yong? Did you sleep here all night? You didn't have to do that.
Ji Yong (to Ariadne): ... Not precisely, Ms. Fenris. I patrolled the house every hour as well. You'll be relieved to know Mlle Delacroix didn't return.
Ariadne (to Ji Yong): That's good to know. Thank you for looking after me. I don't remember falling asleep but I guess I must have.
Ji Yong (to Ariadne): ...Yes. Are you feeling well? You were rather restless last night.
Ariadne (to Ji Yong): Just bad memories... It's a long story but someone a lot like Delphine caught me & took me to a laboratory where a crazy woman performed tests & experiments on me... I'm not sure how but I escaped. Seeing Delphine just brought it all back.
Ji Yong (to Ariadne): Maladori.
Ariadne (to Ji Yong): Yes... How did you know?
Ji Yong (to Ariadne): You were talking in your sleep.
Ariadne (to Ji Yong): ... Oh. That explains it, then. Sorry for causing you trouble. I think I may stay in bed awhile longer. I still feel kinda crappy & I'm sure you could use some sleep.
Ji Yong (to Ariadne): It was no trouble, Ms. Fenris. I was trained to function on much less rest. Please let me know if you need anything else.
Ariadne (to Ji Yong): Wow... For a minute there, I actually thought you were concerned... I'm fine.
Ji Yong (to Ariadne): ... As you say. Excuse me.
Ariadne: ... Inhuman robot.
At Vernian Industries; Coventry, Britannia:
Carver (to Hiiri): We delivered your message as instructed, ma'am.
Hiiri (to Carver): Wonderful! Did you stay to watch?
Carver (to Hiiri): Yes, ma'am. He called the ISS as you said he would, ma'am. They arrived with a wagon about 20 minutes later, ma'am.
Hiiri (to Carver): Awww, this makes me happy.
A couple hours later, at Casino de la Renard; Nice, French Republic:
Grigori (to Ariadne): Ariadne? Are you awake, sestrenka?
Ariadne (to Grigori): Yes, dyadya, though I'm still feeling a bit groggy.
Grigori (to Ariadne): Of course. I won't keep you awake then. I'm glad to see you didn't run off as planned last night.
Ariadne (to Grigori): Mister Yong told you about that? I still think it's a good idea but he seemed to disagree. I certainly don't want to cause you any more trouble during your recovery.
Grigori (to Ariadne): Ha ha ha! Sestrenka, you're hardly the only unsavory element in my household? I live here! Why else would I hire Mr. Yong? And yes, he told me about your concerns. He seemed to think that I would be able to convince you to stay where he could not.
Ariadne (to Grigori): ... Oh. I don't know what to say about all that.
Grigori (to Ariadne): ... Did Mr. Yong not bring you your tea? That dubiina put half the pantry in disarray looking for the ingredients this morning. Heh heh. Nicolette was furious. She kept throwing potatoes at him. I'll have her send it up. Heh. I'm not sure what to tell you. It's not something I've seen Mr. Yong do very often.
Ariadne (to Grigori): ... Well, I wish he'd just act human once in awhile
Grigori (to Ariadne): Ha ha ha! I'm not sure he knows how to do that, sestrenka.
Ariadne (to Grigori): He does... just not when he's working. It's very annoying. I understand the whole separation of work & play. But come on, it's not like showing people that he's human will make them less afraid of him. He's a scary motherfucker.
Grigori (to Ariadne): I'm afraid I don't have an answer for you. You know Mr. Yong better than I do, it seems.
Ariadne (to Grigori): Heehee. Only because I've spent a few times doing extracurricular activities with him, dyadya. I still don't know anything about him. Other than that he was raised here in Nice and that he was sent to kill you & ended up working for you, instead.
Grigori (to Ariadne): Heh heh. Well, other than the fact that he's an orphan and was raised in one of the assassin houses, I can't say I know much more about him than you do. He was 15 or 16 when he came to work for me. He has worked for me for 7 years, very nearly every day, and saved my life on more than one occasion. Yet this is all I know.
Ariadne (to Grigori): Heehee... He is a mystery, wrapped in a very nice suit. Wait. How are you feeling, dyadya? Do I need to have another talk with Bianca? She didn't wear you out too much, did she?
Grigori (to Ariadne): No, no. Heh. She has been very gentle with me. I promise. You look exhausted, sestrenka. Get some sleep.
Ariadne (to Grigori): Heh. Alright. If you see Mister Yong give him a kick for me. :-P
Grigori (to Ariadne): Ha ha ha. I will indeed. I'll have Nicolette send that tea up for you.
Ariadne (to Grigori): Thank you, dyadya.
At the Longfellow Inn; New London, Britannia:
Charles (to Roland): May I get you something else, sir?
Roland (to Charles): Is my glass empty?
Charles (to Roland): Uh, yes, sir. May I get you another?
Roland (to Charles): Yes. I rather think that's what an empty glass means, don't you, boy?
Charles (to Roland): ... Of course, sir. Let me get that for you, right away.
A short time later:
Aiden (to Charles): Hello, Mr. Turner, Mrs. Longfellow sent word that my brother was being a nuisance.
Charles (to Aiden): ... I wouldn't say a nuisance, sir. Not to his face at any rate. Since he's armed.
Aiden (to Charles): Heh. I apologize for his behavior, Mister Turner. I'll take it from here.
Charles (to Aiden): It's quite alright, Mr. Wilkes... Thank you.
Aiden (to Charles): You did just fine, Mister Turner...
A few minutes later:
Aiden (to Roland): Roland? I think it's time to go home.
Roland (to Aiden): Do you? I have duly noted your opinion and I'm choosing to ignore it. Good night, brother dear.
Aiden (to Roland): ... Roland, please don't make me shoot you.
Roland (to Aiden): ... Wilkinson is dead.
Aiden (to Roland): ... Oh.
Roland (to Aiden): Yes. Quite. This note was attached.
Aiden (to Roland): Damn... Well, this makes things a bit easier. Where was he found?
Roland (to Aiden): On my front landing.
Aiden (to Roland): I hope Beatrice & the children didn't see him.
Roland (to Aiden): Thank all that's good, no. Not that it matters. I had to call in a cleanup crew. And father.
Aiden (to Roland): I'm sure he loved that.
Roland (to Aiden): ... Yes. I'm sure you can imagine.
Aiden (to Roland): Let's get you home, Roland. I'm sure Beatrice is wondering where you are.
Roland (to Aiden): ...Yes. I should... Bugger! I should get home.
Aiden: Yes world, that is indeed my brother... He can certainly move fast when he wants to. Who would have thunk it?
