At Casino de la Renard; Nice, French Republic:
Bianca (to Ji Yong): Good afternoon, Mister Yong. Would you like some coffee or tea? How's Hari doing today?
Ji Yong (to Bianca): Resting. She's still very weak, but I believe she's doing better. Mrs. Esterly assured me she would keep an eye on her. I would be most grateful for some coffee.
Bianca (to Ji Yong): I'm glad to hear that she's doing better. She's in very good hands, Mrs. Esterly is a true marvel. Here you are. Fresh coffee.
Ji Yong (to Bianca): Thank you. ...Is there something else you wanted from me, Ms Aslan?
Bianca (to Ji Yong): Yes, there is… I was just wondering if you had given any thought to who might have been shooting at the Mirrored Queen? I don't believe Hari was the target. I think she was just in the wrong place at the wrong time… Grigori didn't call in any favors, did he? I know he was quite angry with the captain.
Ji Yong (to Bianca): I have. Ms Fenris was clearly not the target. She was hit by a stray shot, I believe. We were not involved. For one, Ms Fenris would never have been harmed. For two, it was far too sloppy a job to be one of our contractors.
Bianca (to Ji Yong): Well, that's good. You can understand my concern. She's very important to Grigori & he's been beside himself with worry.
Ji Yong (to Bianca): I certainly can. I don't know who was behind this attack, but I intend to find out.
Bianca (to Ji Yong): Oh well, I now feel slightly bad for the people who did it… But, not all that bad. More coffee?
Ji Yong (to Bianca): No. Thank you. I'm several days behind on my work. I should see to it.
Bianca (to Ji Yong): Of course.
A short time later, in Nathaniel & Aiden's room:
Nathaniel (to Lily): Hmmm? Lilian? What the fuuu-fudge are you doin' in here, Lil' Bit? <yawn> Thought you'd be out startin' trouble with Seph.
Lily (to Nathaniel): She's with Mrs. Esterly helping to get Hari cleaned up & fresh bandaged. Daddy is out running an errand. Joseph is swimming. I wanted to stay here with you… Are you feeling okay?
Nathaniel (to Lily): Yeah... I'm a feelin' a lil' bit rough cuz I had to bring Hari and Mr. Yong back from the hospital last night. I'm alright.
Lily (to Nathaniel): Do you want some coffee or breakfast? I can ring down for some.
Nathaniel (to Lily): Heh. Nah. I'm alright. I don't think my stomach can handle food or coffee just yet. How're you doing? Having fun?
Lily (to Nathaniel): Yes. This place is wonderful. Can we stay here forever?
Nathaniel (to Lily): Heh. 'Fraid not. We're gonna have to get back to regular life sooner or later.
Lily (to Nathaniel): … I guess that's okay. Does that mean I have to get a real tutor instead of Miss Persephone?
Nathaniel (to Lily): Uh, yeah. I'm almost afraid to ask; what has Seph been tutoring you in?
Lily (to Nathaniel): English & History, mostly... And, a bit of math.
Nathaniel (to Lily): Oh... I'll tell you what, I'll talk to your dad and Seph, and if it's OK with them, she can keep tutoring you. You're gonna need at least one other tutor for some of the other subjects, but, um, yeah.
Lily (to Nathaniel): Yay! Thank you. She's a much better tutor than any of the teachers I had at school. She makes it fun to learn stuff. She tells me such great stories & I actually like learning the math problems.
Nathaniel (to Lily): Heh. Well, we can't ask for more than that, huh?
A few hours later, in Grigori's office:
Aiden (to Grigori, Ji Yong & Mrs. Esterly): I've made some inquiries regarding the shooting. It would seem that de Beauville was involved in a dispute with a new player, name of Cavanaugh. He was the former first mate of 'The Blue Sword'. He's been making waves within the pirate community of late. Trying to create a coalition of ships with him as the leader.
Mrs. Esterly (to Aiden): Well now... That's interesting. Do we know if Captain de Beauville survived, dear?
Aiden (to Mrs. Esterly): I'm not quite sure but, it's not looking very good. The Mirrored Queen shipped out shortly after the shooting. No one seemed to know for certain. Though, one gentleman, and I use the term loosely, said that she was too vicious to die.
Mrs. Esterly (to Aiden): Hee hee. I'm sure the same could be said of all of us. I think perhaps we should have dinner with the Potters. They may know some gossip to which we're not privy.
Ji Yong (to Mrs. Esterly, Grigori & Aiden): Or, I could go and kill this Cavanaugh, and be done with the matter.
Grigori (to Ji Yong): Calm down, Mr. Yong. If my darling Agatha hasn't suggested it, she has a very good reason.
Aiden (to Mrs. Esterly): I believe they're presently back in New London… Is it perhaps time to head home?
Mrs. Esterly (to Ji Yong, Aiden & Grigori): Oh yes, dear. It's obvious this Mr. Cavanaugh isn't the mastermind. We need to know what's really going on before we lopping off heads.
Aiden (to Grigori, Ji Yong & Mrs. Esterly): Very true, Mrs. Esterly.
Ji Yong (to Mrs. Esterly, Grigori & Aiden): ...Very well.
Mrs. Esterly (to Ji Yong): Don't worry, dear. If we need to kill him, we'll let you do the deed.
Ji Yong (to Mrs. Esterly): Thank you, Mrs. Esterly.
Aiden (to Grigori, Ji Yong & Mrs. Esterly): Should I make arrangements to head back to New London? Or should we see about them coming here?
Mrs. Esterly (to Aiden): Hmmm. That's a good question. I think for now we're safer not making an appearance in New London.
Aiden (to Mrs. Esterly): I'll see if Nate can contact them, then. I believe he has a communicator that's a direct line. I'm sure Zoe & Victor will be quite happy to have their parents out of their hair again.
Mrs. Esterly (to Aiden): Hee hee. I'm sure they will. (to Ji Yong & Grigori) Alright, you two. You can stop fidgeting. We're done for now.
Aiden (to Grigori, Ji Yong & Mrs. Esterly): I'll go see to the call… Mister Yong, may I speak to you for a moment on the way?
Ji Yong (to Aiden): Yes. Of course. (to Mrs. Esterly & Grigori) Excuse me.
Grigori (to Ji Yong & Aiden): Go! See to whatever conspiracy it is you're hatching. (to Mrs. Esterly) It's just you and I know, velikolepnoye.
Mrs. Esterly (to Grigori): Good heavens, Grigori. Don't you ever get tired of using those same old lines?
Grigori (to Mrs. Esterly): When you are involved? Never!
A few minutes later, in the hallway:
Aiden (to Ji Yong): Mister Yong, I have the name of the shooter Cavanaugh used. Here.
Ji Yong (to Aiden): ... Thank you, Mr. Wilkes.
Aiden (to Ji Yong): You are very welcome. I suggest you be discreet, though I'm sure you will be. As far as I'm concerned, I never found the name or his address.
Ji Yong (to Aiden): Yes. I will make sure this cannot be traced back to you or your family in any way. ... Thank you again.
Aiden (to Ji Yong): Thank you… Now, I should see to that phone call.
A short time later, in Nathaniel & Aiden's room:
Aiden (to Nathaniel & Lily): Nate, you're awake. Has Lily been taking good care of you?
Lily (to Aiden): Heehee. Of course, I have, daddy.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): She's been doing a bangup job.
Aiden (to Nathaniel & Lily): Well, that's good to hear… Nate, can you invite your aunt & uncle to visit us here?
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Yeah. Sure. Is, uh, is there anything I should tell them?
Lily (to Aiden & Nathaniel): Ooooo, this is spy stuff, isn't it?
Aiden (to Nathaniel & Lily): No, actually, this is pirate stuff, Lily... Why don't you go to your room and get ready for bed? We're not finished with the book we were reading for bedtime. If you're good, I'll read you three chapters, tonight.
Lily (to Aiden & Nathaniel): Yes, sir. I'm going right now. I'll be quiet like a mouse.
Nathaniel (to Lily): No dang eavesdropping, you sneaky little rodent!
Lily (to Nathaniel): … Yes, second daddy.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Heh… We need information regarding a pirate named Cavanaugh. Mrs. Esterly thought your aunt & uncle might know him.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): ... Cavanaugh, huh? What's the deal with him?
Aiden (to Nathaniel): It looks like he was the one that put out the hit on Hari's mother. He's trying to grab up power this side of the Atlantic. He's been amassing quite an armada of airships over the last few months. Captains that don't agree have been "replaced".
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Yeah? ...Shit. Betcha a fiver he works for Hiiri.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Heh. I was actually thinking he worked for Cheng. It sounds like her style.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Oh. Yeah. That might totally be it. Heh. Sorry. Hiiri was tryin' to consolidate the underground shipping routes in my time.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Oh... Well, I guess it could be either of them. In the other timeline, ever hear of an airship called 'The Blue Sword'?
Nathaniel (to Aiden): ...The Blue Sword? Shit... Why does that sound familiar? I...I'm not sure. It might be something from the other time, and or it might just be something that my aunt and uncle mentioned. Christ... I'm sorry. The other memories aren't a strong as they used to be. I keep gettin' confused...
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Did anything come out of those sessions that were useful or is Mrs. Esterly still sorting through it?
Nathaniel (to Aiden): I'm not sure. I don't always remember everything I say to her... I mean, I get the nightmares afterwards, but I don't know what I've said to her, and what I'm remembering... Heh. Sorry.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): It's okay, handsome. If you can get a hold of the Potters that should up us determine if Cavanaugh is part of the Hiiri problem or something differently entirely.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Heh. I think I can handle that.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Thank you. Now, I believe there's a little girl that's about to get a talking to about snooping.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Heh. Alright. I'll see if I can get my Aunt and Uncle on the horn. (to Lily) We know you're there, Lil' Bit!
Lily: … Uh oh.
Aiden (to Lily): If you're not in bed by the time I count to three, there's going to be trouble… One… Two…
Lily (to Aiden & Nathaniel): I'm going, I'm going! … I'm in bed!
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Heh. I'm beginning to understand why your aunt & uncle like children so much. (to Lily) Okay, story time, then.
Nathaniel (to Aiden & Lily): I love you two. I'll be with you shortly.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): And, we love you, too.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Heh. Thank freakin' God. What would I do otherwise?
A short time later:
Nathaniel (to Aiden): I spoke to my aunt. They'll be here as soon as they're able. Is the Lil' Bit asleep?
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Yes, she's out like a light. Heh. I didn't even read more than a chapter.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Heh. Fuckin' little munchkin has us wrapped around her finger, doesn't she? Not that you didn't before...
Aiden (to Nathaniel): I don't believe that I have you wrapped around my finger. You're much to suspicious for that sort of thing.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Heh. You think so, huh? I hate to argue with a guy who makes me sound like I'm not a big fuckin' sap...
Aiden (to Nathaniel): I do what I can. :-p
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Ha ha! It's fine. I know I'm a huge goddamn sap when it comes to you and Lilian. I think I'm more than alright with that...
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Heh. I like it when you're being a sap. It's one of the many reasons why I love you.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Heh... Shit. I'm too exhausted to come up with somethin' clever to say. How 'bout you just lemme take you to bed instead?
Aiden (to Nathaniel): I would find that most agreeable.
