At Ms. Dvorak's house; New London, Britannia:
Grigori (to Ariadne): Good morning, moya devochka. I hope my Mr. Yong wasn't too great a burden on you last night. (to Park) Someday I will teach you how to interact with people, my young friend.
Park (to Grigori & Ariadne): As you say, sir. Good morning, Ms Fenris.
Ariadne (to Grigori): Dobroye utro, Mister Rodchenko. The evening was quite uneventful. (to Park) Good morning, Mister Yong. (to Grigori & Park) I was making myself some coffee. Would either of you like any?
Park (to Ariadne): Yes… Please.
Grigori (to Ariadne): Da. I would be most grateful for a cup of coffee. More so, for one poured by such a beautiful woman. I'm trying to teach Mr. Yong proper manners. Vy govorite na russkom, sestrenka ?
Ariadne (to Grigori): Da. Moya sem'ya byla iz Moskvy.
Grigori (to Ariadne): I thought I recognized the eyes of a Russian. Nowhere on earth breeds women as beautiful as our mother country. (to Ms. Dvorak & Ariadne) Exceptions are made for the lovely ladies of the British Empire, of course.
Ms. Dvorak (to Grigori): You are a silver-tongued devil, Grigori. (to Ariadne) Pour me a cup, Hari dear. (to Park) Good morning, Mister Yong.
Grigori (to Ms. Dvorak): Of course I am. How else could I attract the attention of such radiance. You're sure you won't come with me to Nice. I promise none of your jewels would be glass with me, zaychik moy.
Park (to Ms. Dvorak): Good morning.
Ariadne (to Park): Here you are. (to Grigori) And, one for you, Vy staryye Lekh.
Ms. Dvorak (to Grigori): Heh. Yes, darling, I'm quite sure. I'd hate to compete with the hordes of young women that you like to have around you.
Park (to Ariadne): Thank you.
Grigori (to Ms. Dvorak): Ha ha ha! Can you blame me? I see the young men you surround yourself with as well, my darling. Speaking of which, we really should be getting ourselves back to Nice.
Ms. Dvorak (to Grigori): So soon? Well, it has been lovely to see you, Grigori. Oh, the door! That'll be my appointment. Come say goodbye before you leave. (to Ariadne) Oh, and Hari dear, you're free to wander off yourself.
Grigori (to Ms. Dvorak & Ariadne): You say that as though you could keep me away. I hate to leave so soon, but I really must get back. You would be shocked how little gamblers can be trusted.
Ms. Dvorak (to Grigori): Heehee. Yes, I imagine I would be utterly shocked, darling.
Grigori (to Ms. Dvorak): Until later, my darling.
Ariadne (to Grigori & Park): Have a safe trip. It was nice meeting you both. (to Ms. Dvorak) Thank god. I am going to lay in my own bed for days. I'm gonna go pack my stuff & head to my flat.
Park (to Grigori): ... (to Ariadne) Yes. It was nice meeting you as well.
Grigori (to Ariadne): Proshchay, krasivaya zhenshchina . Eto bylo ochen' priyatno vstretit'sya s vami. (to Park) Come along, Mr. Yong.
An hour or so later:
Ariadne (to George): Well Georgie, my girl, I'll be out of your hair momentarily. I bet you were counting the days. ;-P
George (to Ariadne): ... Not at all, Miss. It's been quite a learning experience.
Ariadne (to George): Heehee. You're a terrible liar, George. Try to keep Ms. Dvorak out of trouble, will ya? Here's my address if you need me.
George (to Ariadne): Of course... Do take care of yourself, Miss Hari.
Ariadne (to George): I will. Bye!
A couple hours later, at Aiden's house; New London, Britannia:
Roland (to Mrs. Esterly): Good afternoon, Mrs. Esterly. I trust you are doing well. I can't stay long. Father is quite upset today.
Mrs. Esterly (to Roland): I would imagine. We were treated to a visit from his Lordship yesterday afternoon. I won't keep you then, dear. An old friend has discharged your debt. Do you have the information on your daughter for me?
Roland (to Mrs. Esterly): ...Yes. Here is everything I know about her. ...Thank you for your help in this matter, Mrs. Esterly.
Mrs. Esterly (to Roland): Of course. You'd best get back to the office, dear. I'll contact you shortly.
Roland (to Mrs. Esterly): Of course. Good afternoon.
At the docks; New London, Britannia:
Felix (to Zoe): Heh. So what do you reckon, pretty girl? Did you pass your parents' "test?"
Zoe (to Felix): I think so. They were both grinning at me & gave me a hug. Though, they did say that I'm not allowed to grow up so fast which, I think has more to do with Victor & Yuki's engagement than me.
Felix (to Zoe): Ha ha ha! Well, well... What's next for us?
Zoe (to Felix): Well, we've got to get the borrowed airship back to the Monastery at some point, but I'm not really sure. You probably need to check in with your "captain".
Felix (to Zoe): Heh. I really should. This is the longest I've been left to my own devices in years. Lord knows I can't be trusted alone. I'd say we got everything we need for the trip back... Get on the ship, pretty girl. Go! Now!
Zoe (to Felix): ... Okay. What's going on!?!
Felix (to Zoe): I don't know, but there's a man coming... running towards the ship. He's running towards us now. Get everything started. I'll keep him from getting too close.
Zoe (to Felix): I'm on it. Be careful!
A moment later:
Felix (to Carver): Hold it right there, friend, or the next shot goes through your head!
Carver (to Felix): We want your passenger. We won't leave without her. If you give her to us, Other Carver may let you live.
Felix (to Carver): Yes, you are. You're not taking her, and you're not boarding this ship.
Carver (to Felix): We were really hoping you were going to say that, sir.
Felix (to Carver): Shit! (to Zoe) Zoe! GO!
Zoe (to Felix): Hold onto something!
A few moments later:
Zoe (to Felix): Felix, are you okay back there?
Felix (to Zoe): Heh. I'll live. You aren't rid of me yet. I hope Momma taught you some of her first aid tricks... Crazy bloody bugger started throwing things both sharp and pointy.
Zoe (to Felix): Oh god! Let me get us to a safe altitude. Grab a clean towel & apply pressure until I can stitch you up. Please, don't die.
Felix (to Zoe): ...You don't see me writing up a will, do you? I'm a stubborn man. I'll be fine. Maybe not fine... Mostly fine...
Zoe (to Felix): ... Shit. Let me see. Yeesh. It looks like they got you in the shoulder pretty good. I've got the first aid kit... And, liquor. Drink this.
Felix (to Zoe): Cheers. Here. Pull this one out... I couldn't get it and hold on the towel. Heh... That one would've been in my head if I didn't block it with my arm...
Zoe (to Felix): Shit... What were they after? Did someone recognize you?
Felix (to Zoe): ... He was insane. I think we'd better change our course. Someone told him where to find us... Ouch. Good chance that someone told him we were going to be going as well...
Zoe (to Felix): Alright. As soon as I'm done stitching you up... What aren't you telling me, Felix?
Felix (to Zoe): Goddamn... What makes you say that?
Zoe (to Felix): Mostly because you're not looking me in the eye.
Felix (to Zoe): It's nothing you need to worry about, pretty girl.
Zoe (to Felix): Yes. I think it is. Someone threw knives at your head! ... Wait. Knives... Insane... Shit.
Felix (to Zoe): Heh... Friend of yours? Damnation and hell. This one won't stop, will it?
Zoe (to Felix): ... He's not a friend in any sense of the word. I'm going to have to cauterize this wound. It's going to hurt like hell. I'm really sorry... About everything. I can drop you off anywhere you want. You don't want to be involved in this shit. Victor will totally understand.
Felix (to Zoe): Where the hell else am I going to go? If you think a mad man with knives and a bit of blood is enough to chase me away, then you don't remember my former crew very well. Like hell I'm leaving... If you're going to cauterize this, you'd best do it quickly...
Zoe (to Felix): ... Alright. I'm so sorry. I wish I could do this another way.
Felix (to Zoe): I know. It's alright. It wouldn't be the first time. God willing it won't be the laaaaaaahhhh! Shit. Oh shit... Heh heh. Forgot how much that hurt.
Zoe (to Felix): Sorry. But I think that's got it.
Felix (to Zoe): Ha ha... God, I hope so. Help me up. Where are we going to regroup?
Zoe (to Felix): Oof... I've plotted a ridiculous course for now. I want to make sure no one's following us & then, we head to the monastery. I have a trick up my sleeve if we need it... but I'll need you to be in better shape.
Felix (to Zoe): ...If you don't need me. I think I should lay down...
Zoe (to Felix): I agree. Take these, they'll stave off infection. And, then sleep.
Felix (to Zoe): Heh. Aye. Aye.
Several hours later, on the streets; West Piedmont:
Ariadne (to Nathaniel): Helloooo, lovah.
Nathaniel (to Ariadne): Lover? Seriously? Are you fucking drunk?
Ariadne (to Nathaniel): What? Aren't we engaged? I mean, I just assumed after our little kiss that's what that meant.
Nathaniel (to Ariadne): Yes. Of course that's what it meant. I thought we could be wed in June. Do you wanna tell my folks or shall I? They'll be ever so pleased. I hope you don't mind I'm gonna keep fucking my boyfriend on the side.
Ariadne (to Nathaniel): I would insist on it... How do you feel about vagina in the room?
Nathaniel (to Ariadne): Loose? Just runnin' around on it's own? Ewww!
Ariadne (to Nathaniel): I usually keep it on a leash. I can't control it, otherwise.
Nathaniel (to Ariadne): So long as it's housebroken… Ha ha ha! Oh shit. I can't keep this up. It got weird like 10 minutes ago. So, what's up?
Ariadne (to Nathaniel): Heehee. I've been allowed to leave Ms. Dvorak's house & I thought I'd stop by & rub things in your face. You gay boys like that sort of thing, right?
Nathaniel (to Ariadne): Heh. Depends on what's gettin' rubbed. Nothin' you got, sister. :-P God. This is gonna be an awkward marriage. It's like my folks all over again.
Ariadne (to Nathaniel): Heehee. You are preaching to the choir, my man. But, seriously, I came to gloat. I hooked up with Mr. Hot Bod Bodyguard.
Nathaniel (to Ariadne): You did not! Seriously? Damn... Nicely done. What the fuck was that like?
Ariadne (to Nathaniel): ... Surprisingly nice. He was the most tender and attentive lovers I have ever had. I would gladly do it again. Plus, no strings attached & he actually meant it. I've never had that before.
Nathaniel (to Ariadne): Bullshit! That is... That is inconceivable, actually. ...Well, maybe not THAT inconceivable.
Ariadne (to Nathaniel): Oh god, is this where you tell me he's a bunny killer or has some sort of weird fetish?
Nathaniel (to Ariadne): Fucked if I know. I can tell you're already thinking about hitting that shit again. You're gonna be the one gettin' your toes sucked, or dressed in a bunny suit or some shit. I'll stick to my garden-variety perversions, thanks.
Ariadne (to Nathaniel): Heehee. I'll leave you to it, then. I'm just glad I caught you. I had to tell somebody.
Nathaniel (to Ariadne): Ha ha ha! Yeah you did. Later, Small Fry. Enjoy your shrimping.
