In Mrs. Esterly's room, at Casino de la Renard; Nice, French Republic:
Nathaniel (to Mrs. Esterly): But...
Mrs. Esterly (to Nathaniel): Do not "but" me, young man. You are going to sit here and relax and you had bloody well eat something while you're at it.
Nathaniel (to Mrs. Esterly): ... Fine.
A couple hours, at Vernian Industries; Coventry, Britannia:
Hiiri (to Starling): Ah, Miss Starling, I read your report. I suppose a congratulations is in order.
Starling (to Hiiri): I was just doing my job, ma'am.
Hiiri (to Starling): Yes, but you finally did something right. Which just warms the cockles... If I had that sort of thing.
Starling (to Hiiri): ... As you say, ma'am.
At Ms. Dvorak's house; New London, Britannia:
George (to Ms. Dvorak): Ms. Dvorak, we seem to have visitors... Five or six of them by my count. They're approaching from the north. What now?
Ms. Dvorak (to George): Head to the roof, dear. Sniper rifle is in the cupola. I'll take out the stranglers if need be... This is going to be fun.
George (to Ms. Dvorak): Fun is not the word I would use.
Ms. Dvorak (to George): Give an old woman her small pleasures... Now, go on. Time's a-wastin'.
An hour or so later, at the Longfellow Inn; New London, Britannia:
Charles (to George): Hello, George. I was just about to close up the kitchen. What can I... Good gracious! Are you injured?
George (to Charles): ... What? Oh, that. It's alright, Charles. It's not my blood... Someone just tried to take out Ms. Dvorak. She & I are heading to a hidey-hole. I just came to say goodbye.
Charles (to George): What!?! Oh. Oh dear. What can I do to help?
George (to Charles): Nothing. She seems to think it has something to do with Lord Wilkes' death.
Charles (to George): Of course. I'm sorry. That was a silly thing to say. I-I, um, I shall miss seeing you regularly.
George (to Charles): Will you? That's very sweet, Charles. Please take care of yourself while I'm gone.
Charles (to George): Of course. Please take care of yourself. And of Ms. Dvorak. Um, George. W-wait a moment. I,uh, I wanted to... I'm sorry! I'm sure that was terribly impertinent, but I, um... I hope to see you again soon.
George (to Charles): ... Took you bloody long enough. We'll be back before you know it. And then, you can do that again. :-p
Charles (to George): Oh. Um, yes. I... I would like that.
George (to Charles): I would, too. Goodbye, Charles.
Charles (to George): Goodbye, George. Please be safe.
A short time later, in Aiden & Nathaniel's room, at Casino de la Renard; Nice, French Republic:
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Who the fuck... Oh. Heh. Hey.I guess I dozed off. Is everything OK? Is Lilian alright?
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Yes, she's fine. She's a bit tuckered out. Seph & Joseph ran her ragged with their sightseeing. How are you feeling?
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Oh. Oh good... I'm fine. Heh. Guess all this shit's taking more outta me than I thought. Sorry I'm not being more involved with the whole family vacation. I'll make some time to hang out with the Lil' Bit.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): ... I'm canceling the sessions with Mrs. Esterly. This was a bad idea. I'm very sorry for putting you through all that.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): What?! What are you talkin' about? I'm fine.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Are you? You've been tossing & turning every night since you started, looking rough & haven't been eating. I know you, Nate. You are not doing fine.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): ...Alright, so maybe "fine" is too strong a word, but I'm O-fuckin'-K. It's just a lot of shitty memories. It's Hiiri, Aiden. If havin' a few nightmares and reliving a few shitty things is gonna help us stop her, then it's worth it.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): And, what if you come out of all this the scared, angry Nate that's supposed to be here & not you? What am I supposed to do? I love you & want to spend the rest of my life with YOU. I know that it would technically be the same but how long would we really last? You & I are more alike... And, this has got to be one of the strangest things I've ever said.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): ... I don't know what to say to that.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): I'm sorry. I appreciate what you're doing, I'm just concerned.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Oh. I... Shit. I have NO idea what the fuck to say to that. You're worried I'm gonna end up more like the other guy? I mean, me, but... You know what I mean.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Yes, a bit... I feel like an ass.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Oh. Heh... Ha ha HA! Holy shit! Heh. There was part of me waiting for you to fuckin' dump me cuz I wasn't the other guy.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Yes, because I always like to propose to people right before I end our relationship... It's probably a fetish.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Heh. It might be. You're aristocratic, you know. You guys are fuckin' weird. ... I didn't really think you were gonna dump me. I wouldn't have said yes if I did. But I worried, you know? You can't really blame me. If you want me to stop for a bit, I will, OK? It's not like Mrs. Esterly's chompin' at the bit to continue, anyway. She kicked me outta her room today. But if there's something she needs to know, or thinks will help, I feel like I should. It's Hiiri. If she gains control of the ISS and CLANNG... It's gonna be bad. Real damn bad.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): I know. Just take a day off from it. There's no sense in pushing yourself to the edge & then being out of commission if something happens. Besides, Mrs. Esterly could probably use a break, too.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Shit. Yeah. She probably could. Heh. Navigating my head's gotta be like trying to get through an ant hill. Heh. So... You like this version of me best, huh? It's cuz I'm sluttier this time around, isn't it? :-P
Aiden (to Nathaniel): I like to think of it as a more cavalier attitude. ;-p
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Heh heh. So... that's a yes then.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): That's not it & you know it... But it certainly doesn't hurt.;-)
Nathaniel (to Aiden): C'mere... I'll show you a "cavalier attitude."
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Heh. I'm all yours.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Good... I fucking love you so fucking much. I can't believe you like me best. You got inexplicable taste, you know that?
Aiden (to Nathaniel): ... You talk too much. C'mere.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Yeah. I probably do...
