At Holloway Sanitarium; New London, Britannia:
Mrs. Mirabelle Wilkes (to Roland): Martin, is that you? You haven't visited me in ages. You said you would & Mrs. Lawrence keeps stealing my blankets. You really must tell her to stop or better yet arrest her… That'll show the old bat.
Roland (to Mrs. Wilkes): I'm not certain I can arrest her for that, Mother. I will speak to the staff, however... How... I trust you've been well since the last time I saw you.
Mrs. Wilkes (to Roland): Oh. I'm fine as can be expected... You're not Martin... Which one are you again?
Roland (to Mrs. Wilkes): I'm Roland, Mother. Has Martin been visiting you?
Mrs. Wilkes (to Roland): Yes, he's a nice boy. He'd bring flowers from your father & sneak me chocolates. I think he was a bit sweet on me.
Roland (to Mrs. Wilkes): ... I see. I'm afraid Martin won't be able to visit you any longer.
Mrs. Wilkes (to Roland): He's dead, isn't he? I wish you boys would learn to play nice with each other.
Roland (to Mrs. Wilkes): We had nothing to do with it. He was... It was work. I'm afraid both he and Father are dead.
Mrs. Wilkes (to Roland): … Does that mean I can come home now? You boys need your mother. I promise to keep an eye on you… much better than before.
Roland (to Mrs. Wilkes): Mother, neither Aiden or I live at the main house. We're both grown men.
Mrs. Wilkes (to Roland): … Oh. Well, that just won't do. You tell Aiden to come home right this instance. His family needs him. This is punishment for our many wrongs. I told your father that God would not look kindly upon us but he wouldn't listen.
Roland (to Mrs. Wilkes): Mother... I doubt very much Aiden will come home, and I don't think this is God punishing us. I rather think it's our own misdeeds roosting in our rafters. I apologize I only seem to visit you when I have bad news. I wish I could say that I was going to visit more, but with Father dead, I'm afraid I'm going to be very busy.
Mrs. Wilkes (to Roland): Yes, yes. You sound just like your father. I'll be simply left here to rot because you both are afraid that I'll tell all the dirty little secrets… I know it was your father that was putting things in my morning tea. But with him gone, I'll be better soon, you'll see. Then, I can come home and take care of my babies.
Roland (to Mrs. Wilkes): As you say, Mother. I'll speak to the staff about your blankets. I have to go. I have to go give Aiden the news.
Mrs. Wilkes (to Roland): Alright… Come visit me when you can, Martin.
A few hours later, at Aiden's house; New London, Britannia:
Aiden (to Nathaniel & Lily): I do believe that is the last applicant… Which ones should we ask back for a second interview?
Nathaniel (to Aiden & Lily): Hell if I know. Did you like any of 'em, Lil' Bit?
Lily (to Nathaniel & Aiden): … No, not really. They either smelled funny or had weird mustaches. And, Mister Desmond had a glass eye.
Aiden (to Nathaniel & Lily): Well, that doesn't help at all.
Nathaniel (to Lily & Aiden): ... He DID have a glass eye, didn't he? Ha ha ha! That explains it. You know, we could ask your aunt's girlfriend if she knows anyone. Or my aunt and uncle. Victor had tutors most of his life, I think.
Aiden (to Nathaniel & Lily): That sounds like a good idea. I'll ask Justine if you ask your aunt & uncle.
Lily (to Nathaniel & Aiden): Ooooo, will they come back to visit again? Your uncle was giving me sword lessons last time. It was fun. And, grand-auntie Poppy showed me a game… 3 card Monte… which I wasn't supposed to tell you. :-)
Nathaniel (to Lily & Aiden): ... On second thought maybe we shouldn't ask my aunt and uncle about tutors. :-P
Lily (to Nathaniel & Aiden): Awwww.
Nathaniel (to Lily): Heh. Calm down. I'm just kidding.
Aiden (to Lily & Nathaniel): Heh. They're not going to be your tutors, Lily. They are far to busy but they should know someone who appropriate. Victor seems to be intelligent & capable so they must have had a few good ones.
Nathaniel (to Aiden & lily): Heh.
Mrs. Esterly (to Nathaniel, Aiden & Lily): Master Aiden? I'm sorry to interrupt, but Roland is here. ...He needs to speak to you, dear.
Aiden (to Mrs. Esterly): Oh, yes, of course. (to Nathaniel & Lily) If you two will excuse me.
Nathaniel (to Aiden & Mrs. Esterly): Yeah. Of course. (to Lily) Wanna head into the kitchen with me?
Lily (to Nathaniel): Okay… Can I have a cookie?
Nathaniel (to Lily): Yes. Just don't tell Aiden.
A moment later, in the hallway:
Aiden (to Roland): To what do we owe the pleasure of your visit, Roland?
Roland (to Aiden): ... Father is dead.
Aiden (to Roland): … Oh.
Roland (to Aiden): I visited Mother, and gave her the news... She thought I was Wilkinson.
Aiden (to Roland): I believe father had been sending Wilkinson to visit her before he realized who he was. When is the funeral?
Roland (to Aiden): This Friday. There's obviously a lot to be done, and there will be an investigation. I'm sorry to report it wasn't... He was murdered in his study. His housekeeper, Ms. Averly was also killed. It might be a good time for you and Mrs. Esterly to stay elsewhere if you can.
Aiden (to Roland): I will definitely consider it, Roland. What are you going to do with Beatrice & the children?
Roland (to Aiden): I'm sending the children to school early, and I'm going to send Beatrice go visit her sister in Scotland for a while.
Aiden (to Roland): I hope for their continued safety. I'm sure you have a lot to take care. I'll see you at the service.
Roland (to Aiden): Thank you... I'll send over the information about the funeral as soon everything is finalized. Please be careful.
Aiden (to Roland): Yes, you do the same.
A couple minutes later, in the sitting room:
Aiden (to Mrs. Esterly): Mrs. Esterly, do we have any whiskey in this house?
Mrs. Esterly (to Aiden): Of course, dear. What's happened?
Aiden (to Mrs. Esterly): Lor-- My father is dead.
Mrs. Esterly (to Aiden): Oh good heavens. I'm sorry, sweetie. Come here… I'm so sorry. Let me get you that whiskey.
Aiden (to Mrs. Esterly): Thank you… Roland suggested that we leave town.
Mrs. Esterly (to Aiden): Did he? He must be worried.
Aiden (to Mrs. Esterly): He has good reason to be. Father & Ms Averly were killed in the house… I believe someone may be killing members of my family.
Mrs. Esterly (to Aiden): Oh that poor girl... What do you want to do, dear? We're not exactly a helpless lot.
Aiden (to Mrs. Esterly): Stay here, of course. I'm fairly certain it's Hiiri & if she wants a fight, I believe we are the ones to give her one. But, I think we should send Lily somewhere safe. She doesn't need to be caught up in all of this. She's already been through enough… I'm just at a loss as to where to send her.
Mrs. Esterly (to Aiden): We could send her to the other side with Nathaniel for a little while. Hee hee. Not that either of them will like that much.
Aiden (to Mrs. Esterly): Heh. He would not like that at all, though Lily might love it. It would be like those Verne books she's always reading.
Mrs. Esterly (to Aiden): Hee hee. She'd probably be over the moon... Although, it's Hiiri. She may know to look for him there. Why on earth is she targeting your family? ... I need to get something in the oven. I think better when I bake.
Aiden (to Mrs. Esterly): It may be just a coincidence… Wilkinson was creating his own faction. Father is-- was the director of the ISS... Who is the current leader of CLANNG? I bet you that we will hear about their death shortly if it hasn't happened already.
Mrs. Esterly (to Aiden): Who is it now... I think it's still that Fitzroy man who took over after Director Carver left.
Aiden (to Mrs. Esterly): Fitzroy? Really? Is it a coincidence that that's the alias of young George? Or does she tie into this as well?
Mrs. Esterly (to Aiden): The Fitzroys are quite an expansive criminal family. I believe Margaux chose that name to give her a bit of credence with the Smith Gang. ...Although, she does tie into it now that I think on it. Her father is the lead researcher at Vernian Industries.
Aiden (to Mrs. Esterly): Well, that is interesting… Where did you & Ms. Dvorak send Nate's friend, Hari?
Mrs. Esterly (to Aiden): We sent her to keep an eye on Grigori since he was the one who purchased Roland's debt.
Aiden (to Mrs. Esterly): …. Well, I think it might be time to take a family vacation. I hear the South of France is quite lovely this time of year.
Mrs. Esterly (to Aiden): I certainly wouldn't mind a bit of warmth, dear. This has been such a damp summer. ...How are you doing, sweetie? Your father was... Well, he was a brute and an arse, but he was still your father, wasn't he?
Aiden (to Mrs. Esterly): I'll grieve later, Mrs. Esterly. I need to protect my family first & foremost. Could you help Lily pack? I'll tell the Nate & the others. We'll get the house closed up.
Mrs. Esterly (to Aiden): Of course, dear.
A little while later, in the carriage house:
Aiden (to Persephone & Joseph): Sorry to interrupt your nesting but we need to go… Pack up only what you need. We're going on vacation.
Joseph (to Aiden): What?
Persephone (to Joseph): Something's wrong, sweetie. (to Aiden) Heh. We'll be ready to go shortly. Will you explain what's going on later?
Aiden (to Persephone & Joseph): Of course… My father was murdered last night.
Joseph: Shit.
Persephone (to Aiden): I'm so sorry, Aiden. We'll be ready to go, shortly. (to Joseph) Joseph start closing up the windows. I'll pack up the food.
Aiden (to Persephone & Joseph): Thank you.
Meanwhile, in the kitchen:
Nathaniel (to Lily): You're cheating! Don't deny it. I know you are, you crook! :-P
Lily (to Nathaniel): I am not!
Mrs. Esterly (to Nathaniel & Lily): Good heavens. What is going on in here?
Lily (to Mrs. Esterly): Heehee. We're playing cards.
Nathaniel (to Mrs. Esterly & Lily): I'm playing cards. She's counting them.
Lily (to Mrs. Esterly & Nathaniel): Everybody knows there's 52 of them.
Mrs. Esterly (to Lily & Nathaniel): He means your keeping track of which cards have been played and which are still in the deck, sweetie. Hee hee. It's your own fault for teaching her blackjack, dear. Come along, Lilian. We're going on vacation.
Lily (to Mrs. Esterly): Oh, is that bad? … I've never been on vacation before. Where are we going?
Mrs. Esterly (to Lily & Nathaniel): Hee hee. It's not cheating, but it does tend to annoy people. We're going to the South of France.
Lily (to Mrs. Esterly & Nathaniel): Oooooo… I can practice my French. Où est mon livre?
Mrs. Esterly (to Nathaniel & Lily): Nathaniel, dear, could you put up the kitchen? Shall we go pack you up, dear?
Lily (to Mrs. Esterly): Okay.
A little while later:
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Here, handsome. I brought some boxes.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Thanks. What's going on?
Aiden (to Nathaniel): My father is dead, Nate. I'm fairly certain, it's Hiiri… We need to get out of the country for a bit. I figured a family vacation is the way to do it without raising too much suspicion. And, the south of France is nice this time of year… Mrs. Esterly sent Hari to Rodchenko's. And, his casino is probably the best place to hide.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Shit. I'm sorry. C'mere. Don't worry. We're gonna be alright.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): I know we are. We just have to be smart & if it's possible, be a few steps ahead of Hiiri.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Heh. Good thing we got you and Mrs. Esterly, then... Shit. She's making a grab for the ISS and CLANNG isn't she?
Aiden (to Nathaniel): I think so… Did she try something like this in the other timeline?
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Yeah. In both of them. In one, Carver was running CLANNG and she used your dad and Parliament to gain control of the ISS. In the other, CLANNG was runnin' both.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): You are amazing! You are our ace in the hole, Nate! You've been through this already. You know what she did & what she's going to do...
Nathaniel (to Aiden): What?!? I don't... Holy shit. You're right! She was grooming me to take Carver's place after she got tired of him or he went too fuckin' nuts to control. She made me sit in on all kinds of strategy meetings. Fuck! I wish I'd paid more attention.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): You may know more than you realize, Nate. When we get to the casino, Mrs. Esterly can help you with that. She was one of the best in retrieving buried memories.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): ... Yeah. Alright. Whatever I can do to help.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): You are my hero, handsome. I love you.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Oh! Uh... Heh. Well, I can't say that I mind this kinda hero's welcome.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Heh. Do you think you & Joseph can skip us all to the casino or should we take a more traditional mode of travel?
Nathaniel (to Aiden): I think between the two of us, we should be able to do it. Heh. Though one or both of us might be down and out for the count afterwards. Besides, the Lil' Bit's gotta learn I can do that shit sooner or later. ...Heh. Shit. She'll prolly work out Victor can do it too after this. She was kinda annoyed he wouldn't show her his "portal generator" after he came to visit.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Heh. I think she was more annoyed that he left. I think she has a tiny bit of a crush on your cousin.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Heh. Yeah. I noticed that. First time she met him, she was tellin' me how "handsome" he was. Christ...
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Heh. At her age, it's going to happen a lot… What? I've been reading books on child development.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Heh heh. Why doesn't that surprise me? You are somethin' else, you know that?
Aiden (to Nathaniel): I hope that's a good thing… I've got everything taken care of here. Shall we gather the troops?
Nathaniel (to Aiden): It's a real good thing. Before we got a full house again... C'mere for a sec.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Heh. Are you going to take us to Hawaii again? ;-)
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Wasn't planning on it. Even with Joseph helpin', that's a lot of people to move. I was gonna cause a scandal in the comfort of our own home instead.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Heh… You are speaking my language.
A short time later, at Casino de la Renard; Nice, French Republic:
Ariadne (to Grigori): Dyadya? We're about to have company. Somethings happened in New London… Mrs. Esterly & her family are coming to lay low.
Grigori (to Ariadne): Is she? Excellent! I always look forward to seeing Agatha. It will be like the old times. Heh heh.
Ariadne (to Grigori): Heh... Aren't you worried about Bianca & her temper?
Grigori (to Ariadne): Not in the slightest. Agatha has never given me even the slightest amount of attention. I'm not sure if you've noticed this, but I am a bit of a flirt. If Bianca wants to marry me as she says she does, she will have to learn to live with that.
Ariadne (to Grigori): Heehee… You are a brave man, dyadya. We need to turn off the inhibitor field for a little while. They're bringing a bunch of people over & that may take them out for a bit. Throwing the inhibitor into the mix… Well, there's no telling what it'll do.
Grigori (to Ariadne): As you say, sestrenka. I trust your judgement. Will you make the necessary arrangements, or have you already? ;-)
Ariadne (to Grigori): Heh. I have already made the arrangements but I wanted to give you a heads up. I'll turn it back on as soon as they arrive. Where should we put them all? There's about six of them… Two couples, Mrs. Esterly & a little girl.
Grigori (to Ariadne): So we'll need three or four rooms? Eto ne yavlyayetsya problemoy. We can put them in the west wing. Where is Gee staying?
Ariadne (to Grigori): In the room across the hall from Mister Yong's suite. He wanted to keep a close eye on him.
Grigori (to Ariadne): Ha ha ha! That was probably a good idea. Very good. We should have more than enough room in the West wing then.
Ariadne (to Grigori): Alright. I'll go let the concierge know not to book anyone in that section of the hotel… oh… I think they're coming… Tingly.
Grigori (to Ariadne): Heh. You are incredible, sestrenka. Go see to our guests. I will go dote upon Bianca a bit more so she doesn't pout. Too much.
Ariadne (to Grigori): Heh. Will do.
A few minutes later:
Ariadne (to Mrs. Esterly, Nathaniel, Lily, Aiden, Joseph & Persephone): Greetings friends & welcome to the Casino de la Renard. We've got you housed in the West wing.
Nathaniel (to Ariadne): Ouch... Thanks. (to Joseph) Joseph? How you holdin' up?
Joseph (to Nathaniel): … I think I'm going to be sick.
Persephone (to Joseph): Oh, my poor baby! Come on, lean on me.
Nathaniel (to Joseph): Yeah. You look a little green. You'll be alright. (to Ariadne) Heh. Thanks, Hari. First big group, uh, thing for poor Joe.
Ariadne (to Mrs. Esterly, Nathaniel, Lily, Aiden, Joseph & Persephone): Here are your keys. Go get settled. I have room service bringing you some snacks & fresh towels.
Aiden (to Ariadne): Thank you so much for your assistance, Miss Fenris.
Persephone (to Joseph): Come on, sweetie, let's get you settled in bed. (to Ariadne) Thank you.
Nathaniel (to Persephone & Joseph): Coffee and juice! (to Mrs. Esterly & Lily) Um, you guys alright?
Lily (to Nathaniel): This is so amazing!
Mrs. Esterly (to Nathaniel): Hee hee. We're fine, dear.
Ariadne (to Lily): Heh. First time flying Skipper Air, little one? (to Mrs. Esterly) It's nice to see you again, Mrs. Esterly. I'm sorry to say that Mister Rodchenko knows I was sent to keep an eye on him.
Lily (to Ariadne): … Yes. (to Nathaniel) How did you do that?
Mrs. Esterly (to Ariadne): Hello, Hari, dear. It's quite alright. If he were a stupid man, he would have been a terrible spy.
Nathaniel (to Ariadne): Heh. Later, Hari. I think I'm gonna be answering a buncha questions for the rest of the night. (to Lily) It's, uh... Some people can open doors to other places. It's like a portal generator, but something a person can do instead of a machine.
Ariadne (to Nathaniel): Heh. Have fun.
Lily (to Nathaniel): Oh… Wow… You're like a wizard. (to Aiden) Daddy can you do stuff like that?
Aiden (to Lily & Nathaniel): I'm sorry to say that I can't… And, Nate is probably exhausted so ease up on the questions, sweetie.
Mrs. Esterly (to Lily, Aiden & Nathaniel): Hee hee. I'll leave you three to your explanations. I'm going to turn in.
Aiden (to Mrs. Esterly): Good night, Mrs. Esterly.
Nathaniel (to Mrs. Esterly): Yeah. Course. G'night. (to Lily & Aiden) I'm not a wizard, Lil' Bit. Just kinda... Different, I guess. Heh. Ha ha ha! Yeah. Different's a good way to put it...
Lily (to Nathaniel & Aiden): Heehee. I like different. This place is huge like a castle.
Aiden (to Lily & Nathaniel): Come on, family. Let's get you both tucked in.
Nathaniel (to Lily): Hell yeah it is. (to Aiden) Heh. Sounds good to me.
An hour or so later:
Ariadne (to Sang Gi): What are you doing down here, Gee? Shouldn't you be studying or something?
Sang Gi (to Ariadne): Yes… I heard the housekeepers gossiping about some very important new guests arriving. I wanted to check 'em out...
Ariadne (to Sang Gi): There are no single girls your age, so you can go back to your room… Did you talk to the florist today?
Sang Gi (to Ariadne): … Yes. I start tomorrow.
Ariadne (to Sang Gi): That's wonderful! … Why don't you seem happy about it? I thought you wanted to earn some spending money… Or was it really about girls & booze?
Sang Gi (to Ariadne): Look, why does it even matter to you? You have dated my brother for like a minute… Stop sticking your nose where it don't belong!
Ariadne (to Sang Gi): Wait… Gee. I didn't mean anything by it.
A minute later:
Ariadne: Shit… I need a drink.
Ji Yong (to Ariadne): Good evening Ms. Fenris... Is everything alright?
Ariadne (to Ji Yong): Yes… No… I just had a face to face run-in with teenage hormones… My greatest foe.
Ji Yong (to Ariadne): I... I'm afraid I don't understand.
Ariadne (to Ji Yong): Your brother… He just threw a mild tantrum at me. It's probably nothing.
Ji Yong (to Ariadne): ... Ah. Yes. He had been following me around all evening. I told him to go be bothersome someplace else.
Ariadne (to Ji Yong): Oh… When you guys were little did he used to follow you around a lot?
Ji Yong (to Ariadne): Yes, he did. We didn't have many friends in the orphanage... I scared most of the other children.
Ariadne (to Ji Yong): Really? I guess I shouldn't be surprised… Gee told me that I wasn't what he expected your girlfriend to be like. He thought your girlfriend would be quiet, proper and dutiful… I guess, more traditional.
Ji Yong (to Ariadne): More traditional?
Ariadne (to Ji Yong): Not me, basically.
Ji Yong (to Ariadne): Ah. I understand. I suppose he thought I would choose someone unlikely to upset me. As a child I was... Quel est le mot? I lost my temper quite a bit.
Ariadne (to Ji Yong): … Oh really? I find that hard to believe.
Ji Yong (to Ariadne): Yes. I got into fights quite often. When he was about five or so, Gee took an apple off a greengrocer's cart without paying for it. It was rare that we got fresh fruit in the orphanage. The merchant noticed and slapped him. I beat him unconscious. An agent from le Poignard Maison saw the incident. I began training later that same week... Excuse me.
Ariadne (to Ji Yong): Oh… You're going? You tell me something like that & then you're just going to wander off…
Ji Yong (to Ariadne): I apologize. I thought perhaps I had upset you.
Ariadne (to Ji Yong): Look, if I'm upset I'll tell you or show you. I'm not very good at subtle or haven't you figured that out by now. I am not some delicate flower that you have to protect from your profession, past or present… I don't like to talk about myself because I don't like upsetting people & making them feel obligated to say, 'Oh, you poor dear'. But, trust me, whatever you've done or have to do, I understand. We're survivors, you & I.
Ji Yong (to Ariadne): Yes. This is true. I am... I'm not accustomed to speaking about myself much either.
Ariadne (to Ji Yong): Heh. So, I've noticed… When you see your brother will you please tell him that I'm sorry I upset him?
Ji Yong (to Ariadne): Yes. Of course.
Ariadne (to Ji Yong): I should probably get back to work unless you have something else to tell me.
Ji Yong (to Ariadne): ... No. I apologize for monopolizing your time. Excuse me.
Ariadne (to Ji Yong): And here I thought I was monopolizing your time. ;-P
Ji Yong (to Ariadne): Not at all. I enjoy your company, Har... Ms Fenris. Excuse me.
Ariadne (to Ji Yong): Heehee… You don't really want to leave, do you? I bet I could make you stay.
Ji Yong (to Ariadne): I don't doubt that, but I do need to get back to work.
Ariadne (to Ji Yong): Yes, and so do I. But, I can see the tables on one side of the room & you can see the ones on the other… And, you're sexy when you're being all authoritative... Is that a new tie?
Ji Yong (to Ariadne): Yes, it is.
Ariadne (to Ji Yong): It's very nice… Go on, go back to work. I'll stop bugging you.
Ji Yong (to Ariadne): Thank you. The party from Bordeaux is acting very suspicious. ...If you aren't tired after work, I asked the kitchen to make a small cake for you. For your birthday. Gee suggested that I should do something for your birthday that didn't involve guns.
Ariadne (to Ji Yong): Oh. uh, Wow... I don't know what to say... Thank you. That was very thoughtful. I think I could stay awake for that… Oops. Gentleman in the red tie is palming cards. Gotta run.
Ji Yong (to Ariadne): Of course.
