At Aiden's house; New London, Britannia:
Grigori (to Mrs. Esterly): Hello, beautiful woman. How is it that time has been so very kind to you?
Mrs. Esterly (to Grigori): Hee hee. I was wondering when you would be by to harass me, Grigori. Come inside, dear. (to Park) You must be Mr. Yong.
Ji Yong (to Mrs. Esterly & Grigori): Yes.
Mrs. Esterly (to Ji Yong): You can stop scanning the perimeter, sweetie. I'm sure you've learned by now that Margaux and I aren't amateurs.
Ji Yong (to Mrs. Esterly): No, ma'am. But I wouldn't be a very good bodyguard if I just made that assumption, would I?
Mrs. Esterly (to Ji Yong): No you wouldn't. (to Grigori) He's very attentive, isn't he?
Grigori (to Mrs. Esterly & Ji Yong): Quite, but his company isn't nearly as charming as yours. Why don't you come back to Nice with me?
Mrs. Esterly (to Grigori): Ha ha ha! Oh, good heavens, Grigori. I thought you would be far too old to try that tired line again.
Grigori (to Mrs. Esterly): I may be old, my gorgeous little dove, but I'm not yet dead. What do you say?
Mrs. Esterly (to Grigori): Absolutely not. Drink your coffee. (to Ji Yong) Here your are, dear. Do you take sugar or cream.
Ji Yong (to Mrs, Esterly): No. ...Thank you.
Grigori (to Mrs. Esterly): You can hardly blame me for trying. Here you are. I have absolved your Roland of his debt. He owes you quite dearly.
Mrs. Esterly (to Grigori): Yes, he does. It's a good thing you did as well, isn't it? So, what else can I do for you, dear?
Grigori (to Mrs. Esterly): Come to dinner with me tonight.
Mrs. Esterly (to Grigori): Hee hee. Did Margaux say no?
Grigori (to Mrs. Esterly): Can you blame an old man for wanting to have a nice night on the town with the most beautiful women in New London? You make the cutest little face when you're suspicious.
Mrs. Esterly (to Grigori): Oh fine, Grigori. If you insist.
Grigori (to Mrs. Esterly): I shall be counting the moments. Until then, beautiful. (to Ji Yong) Come, Mr. Yong. Let us leave Agatha to get ready.
Mrs. Esterly (to Grigori & Ji Yong): Hee hee. Yes. It does take time to prep that many weapons. Goodbye. (to Persephone) You can stop spying now, dear.
Persephone (to Mrs. Esterly): Heehee. I figured you knew I was there.
Mrs. Esterly (to Persephone): Of course I did. Just like I know you realize who that was and why he was here.
Persephone (to Mrs. Esterly): So, he's the bloke that took care of Roland's debt, huh? He must have owed you a whopper of a favor.
Mrs. Esterly (to Persephone): That he did. You can owe someone more than your life, dear. All in all, I'd say he got off quite inexpensively.
Persephone (to Mrs. Esterly): ... Wow. I don't think I've ever seen so many zeroes.
Mrs. Esterly (to Persephone): Oh good heavens, Roland. Look at this... That boy. That boy is going to be the death of me, I swear... No time to brood on it now. I have a dinner tonight with bloody Grigori and I expect Lord Wilkes will be showing up sometime soo... The old windbag.
Persephone (to Mrs. Esterly): Heehee. I'll get to baking then. I know how much his lordship likes those tarts we make at the inn.
Mrs. Esterly (to Persephone): Thank you. He's going to be in such a mood when he gets here. Hee hee. Perhaps we should start drinking now as well.
Persephone (to Mrs. Esterly): Heehee. I'm game if you are.
Mrs. Esterly (to Persephone): Hee hee. Here you are, dear. Whew! What on earth did Fiona give me? Scotch or turpentine? Aiden told his father about Nate this morning, and that he wasn't interested in inheriting his title.
Persephone (to Mrs. Esterly): Oh? ... I'm sure that went over REALLY well.
Mrs. Esterly (to Persephone): I cannot imagine. It gives me a headache to even contemplate. I'm having another. Would you like one, dear?
Persephone (to Mrs. Esterly): Yeah, sure. The tarts are almost done. So, what's the story with Rodchenko & his buddy?
Mrs. Esterly (to Persephone): Who? Mr. Yong? Heaven only knows how he picked him up. He used to work as a freelance assassin, I believe.
Persephone (to Mrs. Esterly): Heehee. I thought I recognized that look... There's the door. Should I answer it or would you rather?
Mrs. Esterly (to Persephone): I've got it dear. There's no call to subject you to Lord Wilkes's temper if you needn't be. He knows better than to get too fresh with me. He's witnessed me shooting far too many people for that.
Several hours later, at Ms. Dvorak's house; New London, Britannia:
Ariadne: Damn you, high shelf! Why is that where the wine is!?! Who did that!?!
Ji Yong (to Ariadne): Here you are. I'm assuming you couldn't reach the bottle of wine.
Ariadne (to Ji Yong): … Oh. Yeah. Thanks.
Ji Yong (to Ariadne): You're welcome.
Ariadne (to Ji Yong): Why aren't you off with your boss and the ladies? Or do I even want to know? You know, brown chicken, brown cow?
Ji Yong (to Ariadne): Mr. Rodchenko asked me to stay behind. He claimed I'm too "stiff" for the evening. I don't believe livestock will be involved.
Ariadne (to Ji Yong): HAHAHA… Oh, sorry. I shouldn't laugh. Heehee… Sorry.
Ji Yong (to Ariadne): ...I'm not sure what is so funny. You were the one who mentioned a chicken and cow.
Ariadne (to Ji Yong): Heehee. Sorry… So, if you're not with Mr. Bossman, does that mean you're off duty?
Ji Yong (to Ariadne): Yes. I suppose it does.
Ariadne (to Ji Yong): So, what fun thing are you going to do with your night off?
Ji Yong (to Ariadne): I was going to clean my gun, and sharpen some of the daggers I've been meaning to service.
Ariadne (to Ji Yong): Really? … That sounds fun… Actually, that sounds BORING. Come with me. Let's play 'Go Fish'.
Ji Yong (to Ariadne): I don't like fishing.
Ariadne (to Ji Yong): … It's a card game. Fuck it. I give up. Enjoy your gun cleaning. I'm gonna go read a book.
Ji Yong (to Ariadne): Ah. I see. I was wondering where you were going to go fishing in New London. I'm sorry to disappoint you Ms Fenris, but I don't approve of gambling. Are you looking for an excuse to spend time with me because you want to have sex with me?
Ariadne (to Ji Yong): … I was. But, I'm done now. You're clearly not interested. And, for your information 'Go Fish' is a kid's game not gambling. So, you have fun with the gun & knives… Throw in a sword & it's like Friday night with my dad.
Ji Yong (to Ariadne): As you wish. If you were interested in sex, you should have said so. I wouldn't have been opposed. Good night.
Ariadne (to Ji Yong): … Wait. Stop right there, you hot, sexy man. You are such a tease, you know that?
Ji Yong (to Ariadne): Yes. Mr. Rodchenko does complain quite often that I'm uptight, but I see no reason to waste time hinting about what you want.
Ariadne (to Ji Yong): I thought I had made it pretty clear that I was interested in having sex with you, last night. Or was I supposed to simply say? Because, you don't strike me as the straight arrow approach cuz you act all uptight.
Ji Yong (to Ariadne): It's easier just to state things as they are. ...You realize there would be no emotional aspect to this arrangement, don't you? There seems to be some expectation of emotional intimacy when you are physical with them.
Ariadne (to Ji Yong): … Boy, you make it sound so fun. But, yes, I wasn't looking for a commitment… It's just been awhile. A long while.
Ji Yong (to Ariadne): ... I'm confused. Are you interested or not?
Ariadne (to Ji Yong): Yes, I'm interested. Very interested.
Ji Yong (to Ariadne): Very good. Shall we go to your room?
Ariadne (to Ji Yong): Oh sure. Follow me.
A short time later, at Aiden & Nathaniel's apartment; West Piedmont:
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Hey. You want anything to eat yet? I made you a plate.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): No thank you. I'm not hungry.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): You sure? You haven't had anything. You came home, locked yourself in the bedroom, and I haven't seen hide nor hair of you.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): I'm sorry, Nate, I'm just tired.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Oh. Yeah. Sorry... You want me to give you space?
Aiden (to Nathaniel): … No. Will you climb into bed and cuddle with me?
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Yeah. Shit, man. You don't have to ask that. You know I will. I'm sorry today ...and yesterday... fucking sucked.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): It's not your fault. In fact, if it wasn't for you, I would still be languishing in ISS wondering why I was there.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): ...Heh. Yeah, guess so. Course you're not looking real hot right this second.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Sorry. My father was about as understanding as could be expected… I'm essentially cut off from the family for good. I might as well change my name to mud.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Yeah. That's true... But, way I figure it, the only people who are cutting you off are the ones who sucked anyway. Your dad is a dick. A REAL fucking dick. And this is coming from me. The Joneses have a monopoly on being fucking dicks. Mrs. Esterly and Persephone, and all the people who love you for the person you actually fucking are, aren't going anywhere.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): I know all that, handsome. I just need a moment to mourn. I'll be fine tomorrow, I promise.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): You're right. You're really right. Sorry. Heh. I'm not really good with all this kinda shit. I fuckin' ran off rather than deal with my family, remember? :-P
Aiden (to Nathaniel): You're doing just fine. I love the fact that you're worried about me. C'mere. No funny business, just cuddle with me. I just wasn't expecting to be this affected by my father's behavior. It's nothing new.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Doesn't mean it doesn't fucking hurt. Believe me. I fucking know. C'mere. Whatever you need, just lemme know. Kay?
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Thank you, handsome.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): You're welcome. I love you, you know that? Like fuckin' mad. Heh... Holy shit I'm tired all of a sudden. Heh... You'd--you'd better watch out. I'm gonna get you to marry me someday...
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Heh. You make it sound like a threat. I'd marry you in a heartbeat, Nate. You're the love of my life. And, in case you haven't noticed you are very much stuck with me.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Hmmm? Heh. It is a threat...
