At Casino de la Renard; Nice, French Republic:
Poppy (to Ji Yong): Good morning, Mister Park, honey. It's been a long time… Don't worry, I'm not here to kill you. I'm retired from all that.
Ji Yong (to Poppy): ... As am I, Miss Meriwether. Are you here for the casino or the seaside?
Poppy (to Ji Yong): Actually, we're visiting family, honey.
Ji Yong (to Poppy): ... Ah. Yes. I understand. Am I to understand you're related to Mr. Jones?
Poppy (to Ji Yong): Yes, honey, he's our nephew from Vincent's side of the family & Persephone is our niece from my side. How's your young lady?
Ji Yong (to Poppy): Why?
Poppy (to Ji Yong): Because, she's my daughter's friend… And, normal people ask about the health & well-being of family friends, honey.
Ji Yong (to Poppy): Ah. Yes. My apologies. She is still very tired, but well. She does not like resting in bed all day.
Poppy (to Ji Yong): … Well, I believe I can help with that, honey. Or more specifically, my daughter. She knows how to speed up the healing process I can have her here shortly, if you think it'll help. I believe we owe Hari one or two favors.
Ji Yong (to Poppy): I'm not sure I understand.
Poppy (to Ji Yong): Heh. It's alright, honey. Appelez ça de la magie, si vous le souhaitez.
Ji Yong (to Poppy): Yes... If you would be able to help her I know she would appreciate it. As would I.
Poppy (to Zoe, via communicator): Zoe honey? Get over here, right now. We need you to play doctor… There's an inhibitor field so watch out for it.
Zoe (to Poppy): Oh right! I'll be there in a jiffy, mom. Is it safe to use you as my reference point?
Poppy (to Zoe): Yes, I think so. (to Ji Yong) Could you please act as lookout, Mister Park?
Ji Yong (to Poppy): Of course.
A moment later:
Zoe: Oof. OW. God dammit… (to Poppy & Ji Yong) Oh, uh, hi Mom… And, strange Korean man.
Ji Yong (to Zoe & Poppy): Hello. This is a family talent, is it?
Poppy (to Ji Yong): Heh. Sort of, honey. We know a few none family members that have it, too. (to Zoe) Honey, this is Mr. Park Ji Yong. He's a friend of Hari's. It seems she's been shot. I thought you could use your little trick to help speed along her recovery.
Zoe (to Poppy): Oh yeah, of course, Mom. (to Ji Yong) Lead the way, Mr. Park.
Ji Yong (to Poppy): It was nice seeing you again, Ms Meriwether. (to Zoe) This way, please.
Poppy (to Ji Yong): Sweet talker. (to Zoe) Come see me before you head home, honey.
Zoe (to Poppy): Will do! (to Ji Yong) Of course…
A few minutes later:
Zoe (to Ji Yong): So, you're a friend of Hari's, huh? That's cool. I'm glad she's been out meeting folks. I was worried she wouldn't do that sort of thing… You know, after everything that happened to her.
Ji Yong (to Zoe): Yes. She has been... She's seemed to have had a hard time. She was very upset when she was in the hospital.
Zoe (to Ji Yong): ell yeah, she would be… You have no idea what I'm talking about, do you?
Ji Yong (to Zoe): She was kidnapped and tortured in a laboratory by a mad woman named Maladori. I tried to get more information from Mr. Jones, but he was hesitant to tell me anything.
Zoe (to Ji Yong): That's because Nate doesn't quite remember it. He got his brain scrambled a bit… What do you want to know?
Ji Yong (to Zoe): ... She's been having vicious nightmares about it. Is there behavior that should avoid to keep from upsetting her? When I've asked her, I'm told "not to worry about it."
Zoe (to Ji Yong): Well, it's complicated… See, technically, she's not the Hari from here… What I mean is, there's another Hari on the other side of the portals. Normally, skippers don't have doubles. It's one of the things that allows us to skip between worlds. We don't have a fixed point in either place. But, something happened a year or so ago and well, it made things screwy. She got captured by Delphine & brought to a Maladori… Not the one that's alive over here. I'm sorry. Does this make any sense?
Ji Yong (to Zoe): No. Not in the slightest. (to Ariadne) Hari? Are you awake?
Ariadne (to Ji Yong): Oh hi there. You have good timing. I just woke up from my nap... (to Zoe) Hi Zoe.
Ji Yong (to Ariadne): Ms. Meriwether seems to think Zoe can help you along with your healing process.
Ariadne (to Ji Yong & Zoe): Oh, cool.
Zoe (to Ariadne): Yeah, just lay back & relax...
Ji Yong (to Ariadne): Ne vous inquiétez pas. Tout ira bien.
Ariadne (to Ji Yong): Stop fretting. I trust Zoe... (to Zoe) Right?
Ji Yong (to Ariadne): ... As you say.
Zoe (to Ariadne): You'll be fine. Now, give me your hands... This might feel a bit weird but don't let go.
A short time later:
Ji Yong (to Ariadne): ... Are you alright, Hari?
Ariadne (to Ji Yong): Holy shit! This is amazing, Zoe! I feel fine.
Zoe (to Ariadne & Ji Yong): Woo, that makes one of us. Let me just sit down. Ugh.
Ji Yong (to Zoe): Are you alright, Miss Meriwether? Please sit down.
Zoe (to Ji Yong): Thanks... I'm just going to close my eyes for a minute.
Ji Yong (to Zoe): Please rest yourself, miss. (to Ariadne) Are you well?
Zoe (to Ji Yong): That sounds like a very good idea… How does Hari look?
Ariadne (to Ji Yong): I think I'm pretty darn close. Check the bandage... I'm too scared to look.
Ji Yong (to Ariadne & Zoe): Mon Dieu! Vous êtes guéri. Comment est-ce arrivé? Excuse me. She looks perfectly well... How did you do that?
Ariadne (to Ji Yong & Zoe): Heh… Good, I need a shower.
Zoe (to Ji Yong): Oh, good… It's a trick I learned, mostly because no one told me I couldn't. It's come in handy more times than I can count. Is there somewhere that I could lay down and take a nap? That took a bit out of me.
Ji Yong (to Zoe): Of course. Would you like to lay down? Can you walk?
Zoe (to Ji Yong): Yes, I think so… Just point me in the direction & I'll find my way. I'm sure you want to hang out with Hari.
Ji Yong (to Zoe): I'm sure she can endure while I see to your needs. This way. I'll let your mother know where you are. (to Ariadne) Will you be alright?
Ariadne (to Ji Yong): Yeah, take care of the munchkin. I'm going to take a bath. I haven't been able to take one for a week. (to Zoe) Thank you, Zoe. You're like a mini-wizard or something.
Zoe (to Ariadne): I prefer the term sorceress. Heh. And, I'm very happy it worked. (to Ji Yong) Lead the way, Mr. Park.
Ariadne (to Zoe & Ji Yong): You're a smartass, Zoe… Go on, off with you. And, Ji Yong don't be too long. I may need assistance with a few things. ;-)
Zoe (to Ariadne & Ji Yong): Heehee.
Ji Yong (to Ariadne): Yes. Of course. (to Zoe) Come this way please.
A few minutes later:
Ji Yong (to Zoe): Here you are. Are you sure that you're well?
Zoe (to Ji Yong): Nothing a two hour nap can't cure. I'll be fine. Thank you for walking me here… Where are we?
Ji Yong (to Zoe): We're in the west wing. This is room 316. I'll let your mother know where you are.
A short time later:
Ji Yong (to Poppy): Ms Meriwether? Your daughter is resting in this room. She insists that she is fine, but seems a bit exhausted.
Poppy (to Ji Yong): Oh well, thank you, honey. Was she able to help Hari?
Ji Yong (to Poppy): Yes. It seems so. Thank you. She is more tired than she wants to let on. I thought you should know.
Poppy (to Ji Yong): Alright, I'll see to her in a bit… May I ask you a question before you run back to your lady?
Ji Yong (to Poppy): Yes. Of course. What is it?
Poppy (to Ji Yong): By any chance, did you find out the name of the trigger man, Mister Park?
Ji Yong (to Poppy): No.
Poppy (to Ji Yong): Oh really? That's odd because a man was discovered earlier today with a very recognizable wound…Well, recognizable to me anyway. Most assassins have a way of performing their task that acts like a signature to others. It's a nice way of advertising. But, I'm sure I'm not telling you anything new, honey.
Ji Yong (to Poppy): Yes. I am familiar with this practice, Ms Meriwether. And if I were to kill someone with this kind of advertising, one might assume that this would serve as a warning to those who might cause harm to those currently under my protection. But as I said: I know nothing which I can share.
Poppy (to Ji Yong): Yes, I thought as much… Just watch yourself, honey. Madame Cheng is not someone to trifle with. She has a very long reach & it seems to be getting longer everyday.
Ji Yong (to Poppy): I understand, miss. Even so, I'm not inclined to take kindly to those who might harm people for whom I care. Mr. Rodchenko has created an environment that is independent of all other gangs, mobs and ruffians. There are some who don't care for people who create this kind of independence for themselves. I appreciate the warning, however. Good afternoon, ma'am. I appreciate the concern. I'm sorry to have kept you.
Poppy (to Ji Yong): Well, I felt it should be said, honey… I should go and see to my family. Take care of yourself. Goodbye, Mister Park.
Ji Yong (to Poppy): Goodbye. Please give my regards to your husband.
Poppy (to Ji Yong): Heehee. I will. You should stop by and say hello. I know he'd love to see you, honey. ;-)
Ji Yong (to Poppy): Somehow I doubt... Ah. Yes. I understand. You were kidding.
An hour or so later:
Ariadne: Hello? Anyone out here? … If there is, you better speak up or else.
Ji Yong (to Ariadne): It's just me. No need to worry.
Ariadne (to Ji Yong): Oh, thank god… I think I might be a little on edge after everything. Is Zoe okay?
Ji Yong (to Ariadne): I believe so. You really should be resting. Please lie back down. I will not allow anyone or anything to hurt you. I promise. I would die before I would allow that to happen. Please sleep well. I will see you in the morning.
Ariadne (to Ji Yong): Wait. Don't go, Ji Yong. Please?
Ji Yong (to Ariadne): Would you like me to stay?
Ariadne (to Ji Yong): Plus que tout, handsome. I've been wanting to show you my appreciation for everything you've done.
Ji Yong (to Ariadne): I haven't done anything worth... Oh. Yes. I understand.
Ariadne (to Ji Yong): I thought you might figure it out, eventually... Je t'aime, Ji Yong.
A few hours later, in the gymnasium:
Lily (to Vincent): How did I do, gruncle Vincent?
Vincent (to Lily): Outstanding! You're sure you haven't done this before?
Lily (to Vincent): Heehee. Yes, I'm sure.
Vincent (to Lily): Mmmm. Heehee. I don't believe it for a moment. :-p
Lily (to Vincent): It's true! We didn't have much call for swordplay at the Dillon's farm.
Vincent (to Lily): You must be a natural then. Don't worry. We'll make sure your dads let you continue with the fencing lessons.
Lily (to Vincent): That would be wonderful. Miss Persephone offered to show me but she said she was probably already teaching me enough bad habits.
Vincent (to Lily): Ha ha ha! I'm sure she's right. Don't worry. You can leave all those bad habits to us. :-p How are you adjusting to living with Nate and Aiden, sweetie? You don't have to worry about giving me the "right" answer. I'd much rather know how you're really doing. Hee hee. You're not the only one in the family to run off.
Lily (to Vincent): … I really love it, gruncle Vincent, honest & for true. Daddy, second Daddy, Mrs. Esterly, Persephone & Joseph are a better family than I ever expected. I keep worrying that it's all a dream & I'll wake up back at the farm, sharing a bedroom with 11 other girls, having to eat oatmeal every morning & having to do a bunch of terrible chores with no books & Mrs. Dillon teaching us not to be such heathens & hellspawn, as she claims we all are, because most of us are bastards sent off so we wouldn't shame whatever family we're from.
Vincent (to Lily): Heh. Well, I can promise you that it's not a dream, hun.And it might not always be as faboo as it is now, but I know for certain everyone is more than thrilled to have you here. In fact, I'm positive your dads are more than a little miffed they didn't know about you sooner. Do me a favor and take care of them, won't you sweetie?
Lily (to Vincent): I'll try my best, sir. But, you know how my daddies are, always getting themselves in trouble. At least, according to Mrs. Esterly & Persephone. :-P
Vincent (to Lily): Hee hee hee! It's true! I don't know where they get it from. Certainly not MY side of the family. I worry about those boys. Someone needs to keep an eye on those two.
Lily (to Vincent): Heehee… Thank you for the sword lesson, gruncle. I should go see about supper. I'm starving.
Vincent (to Lily): I don't doubt it. Go see to supper. We'll continue the lesson next time we see each other. Gimme a hug, Ms Lilian.
Poppy (to Lily & Vincent): Whoa there, Lilian. You are not allowed to leave without giving me a hug, honey.
Lily (to Vincent & Poppy): I'll give you both a hug.
Vincent (to Lily & Poppy): Hee hee. We won't complain about that, sweetie.
Poppy (to Lily): Thank you, sweetie. (to Vincent) Did you have fun, lover?
Vincent (to Poppy): I did indeed. She's a natural with a sword, hun. How did your chat with Mr. Park go?
Poppy (to Vincent): Oh, just fine… Though, he never said as much, I believe he took care of the shooter. So, if we still want to send Yuki in undercover, now is the chance. Though, she'll probably need someone to act as a spotter & partner. And, I'm quite reluctant to send Victor, but you know he's going to insist.
Vincent (to Poppy): Ha ha ha! Of course he is, lover.
Poppy (to Vincent): That doesn't help things, lover. You know how much Cheng hates "White Foreign Devils". Otherwise, I'd send Fiona & Chess... Well, I would if I could bloody well figure out where they're hiding. Sadly, Yuki is our best option. Oh and, we're going to need to get Zoe out of room 316 & take her back to the bunker.
Vincent (to Poppy): Give her some time to recuperate, lover. I certainly wouldn't mind having a bit more time with you.
Poppy (to Vincent): Well, get over here, lover.
