Starling: … Must hurry back before Mister Carver realizes I'm missing.
At Vernian Industries; Coventry, Britannia:
Hiiri: Could someone please explain why there appears to be pirate airships ruining my plans of domination of the airways!?!
Carver (to Hiiri): Yes, mistress? What can we do for you, ma'am?
Hiiri (to Carver): I'm very annoyed, Mister Carver. Who is this Cavanaugh & why is he stealing my ships!?!
Carver (to Hiiri): We're not sure, ma'am. We can ask, ma'am.
Hiiri (to Carver): Good… And, while you're at it. Find me #4 or whatever it is she's calling herself these days, she & I still have some unfinished business to discuss.
Carver (to Hiiri): We will do our best, ma'am. How creative may we be with her, ma'am?
Hiiri (to Carver): Don't hurt her too much, Carver. I need her in one piece… But, feel free to kill anyone with her who gets in your way.
Carver (to Hiiri): Yes, ma'am. We won't disappoint you, ma'am. May we bring Starling? She's restless, ma'am.
Hiiri (to Carver): Yes, yes. Bring the little scamp with you… Oh, and Carver, if you fail this time, I WILL kill you myself. Do you understand?
Carver (to Hiiri): Of course, ma'am. We understand perfectly. We will either complete our mission, or Other Carver will have a lot of fun before you kill us, ma'am.
Hiiri (to Carver): I'm glad we understand each other, Carver dear. Now, go on.
Carver (to Hiiri): Yes, mistress.
A few minutes later:
Carver (to Starling): Miss Startling? We have an assignment, miss. Miss?
Starling (to Carver): Yes, Mister Carver, I'm here… I was just putting something away from Maladori. Do we get to go play with someone?
Carver (to Starling): Yes, miss. We're to inquire after Mr. Cavanaugh's motives for forming a pirate fleet & find our mistress's 4th clone, miss.
Starling (to Carver): Oh… So, there will be two of them, sir?
Carver (to Starling): Two of what, miss?
Starling (to Carver): Two mistresses, sir. Or does the mistress plan on killing the clone?
Carver (to Starling): No, miss. We don't think there will be another one. We don't think the clone is anything like our, mistress.
Starling (to Carver): Oh... Well, that's good, sir. Shall we go?
Carver (to Starling): If she kills her, we hope she lets us do it...
Starling (to Carver): As you say, sir... Though, I wouldn't mind playing with her, either... Especially, her head.
Carver (to Starling): We understand, miss. Other Carver is especially disappointed he was never able to stab our mistress, ma'am.
Starling (to Carver): There's always tomorrow, Mister Carver.
Carver (to Starling): If we live that long, miss. Shall we go?
Starling (to Carver): Yes, sir.
At Renfield's; West Piedmont:
Nathaniel (to River): Hey. Is your girlfriend here yet?
River (to Nathaniel): Is there a dark storm cloud overhead? No? Then she's not here... Just warn me when she arrives.
Nathaniel (to River): Jesus Christ... Only dark storm cloud in here's the one over your fucking head.
River (to Nathaniel): Sorry. She's pissed at me cuz I didn't jump at the chance to move in with her. It's put me on edge.
Nathaniel (to River): ... Yeah. I kinda noticed that. Too soon, huh?
River (to Nathaniel): Yes. No. Maybe. I don't know. I just don't want to do something that we'll both regret. Meanwhile,she's getting madder at me the longer I take to decide. I love her but it's, well, it's a big step.
Nathaniel (to River): So maybe sit her down and tell her that. Mars is grumpy, but she's not fucking unreasonable. Cuz I tell you what... if you fucking take off without saying a word to her or anyone else, you're gonna fucking regret it. Especially, when her scrawny fucking cousin tracks you down and beats your ass.
River (to Nathaniel): What!?! How did-- You really freak me out sometimes, Nate, with your Jedi mind tricks. I won't do anything like that. I promise I'll talk to her.
Nathaniel (to River): ...Good. Looks like she's here. I'll see you later.
River (to Nathaniel): Okay. See ya.
A moment later:
Marlena (to Nathaniel): Hey Nate. Sorry I'm late. I was drawing up a schematic & got sidetracked.
Nathaniel (to Marlena): Heh. It's alright. I figured. What were you drawing a schematic for? ...Wait. I'm not gonna understand this am I?
Marlena (to Nathaniel): Heh. I'll use small words. It's an automatronic neutralizer, I think. It can shut down anything with an automatronic brain. Something in mom's New London journals made me think of it.
Nathaniel (to Marlena): ...What? Holy shit. Seriously? Temporarily or permanently?
Marlena (to Nathaniel): Both, if you like. It's like a big on/off switch with an optional pause.
Nathaniel (to Marlena): You are a fucking genius! Ha ha ha! Which you already fucking know. That is goddamn brilliant! Heh. Come on! Let's get you to Nice. ...I should warn you. This is gonna hurt.
Marlena (to Nathaniel): Heh. Thanks... Know anyone who can build it?
Nathaniel (to Marlena): I don't know anyone personally, but I'm sure someone we know fucking will.
Marlena (to Nathaniel): Okay... Here put this on. It's an inhibitor buffer. I've never tested it but it should make it less painful, I hope.
Nathaniel (to Marlena): Heh. We're testing it now, I guess, huh? Victor and Zoe can kinda shift themselves forward or backwards a little bit so they don't get the full brunt, but me... Heh heh heh. I fucking get knocked on the ass every time.
Marlena (to Nathaniel): Well, this should help with that. Just put it on your wrist like a bracelet.
Nathaniel (to Marlena): Alright. Ready? Here we go...
A moment later, at Casino de la Renard; Nice, French Republic:
Nathaniel (to Marlena): Oh! Shit... That was... That wasn't bad at all.
Marlena (to Nathaniel): Fuckin' a, I am the bomb-diggity! Suck it, Tesla... Heh. Uh, sorry. I got a little carried away there for a second.
Several hours later:
Lily (to Marlena): Miss Mars, are you going to swear like a sailor again?
Persephone (to Lily): Don't encourage her, Lilian! Once she starts, she may never stop. :-P
Marlena (to Persephone & Lily): … Shut the fuc-- fudge up, Seph!
Persephone (to Lily & Marlena): Heehee. You're a real vulgarian, Mars. Please, try to tone it down… What brought on this bout of swearing?
Lily (to Persephone & Marlena): We were just playing Cribbage, Miss Persephone.
Marlena (to Persephone & Lily): She's a little cheater.
Lily (to Marlena & Persephone): I am not!
Persephone (to Lily): Lilian, what was the first rule of cards that I taught you?
Lily (to Persephone & Marlena): … To play honestly with member's of our family unless they cheat first.
Persephone (to Lily): Right! Now, play fair from now on or it's off to bed with no supper.
Lily (to Persephone): Yes, ma'am. (to Marlena) I'm sorry, Miss Mars.
Marlena (to Lily): It's alright… (to Persephone) Heh. You're going to make someone a great mother one day, Seph.
Persephone (to Marlena): Hush you… (to Lily & Marlena) Now, I'm off for a walk on the beach with Joseph. You two have fun while I'm gone.
Marlena (to Persephone): We will. (to Lily) Come on, let's play another round.
Lily (to Marlena): Okay.
A short time later:
Nathaniel (to Marlena): Heh. Should've warned you about playing cards with the Li'l Bit.
Marlena (to Nathaniel): Yeah, you should have. I'm guessing it's Seph that's been teaching her to be a card sharp, huh?
Lily (to Marlena & Nathaniel): Well, Miss Poppy showed me somethings, too. :-P
Nathaniel (to Marlena): Seph, Aunt Poppy... I may have taught her one or two games.
Marlena (to Nathaniel & Lily): Heh. That fudging figures… Well, I need a cigarette after all that.
Nathaniel (to Marlena): You can smoke on the patio out there. Got some of your own?
Marlena (to Nathaniel): Yeah, I made sure to bring some. I remember what a pain rolling your own can be. I'll be back in shortly.
Lily (to Nathaniel & Marlena): Heehee.
Nathaniel (to Marlena): Sounds good. (to Lily) What are you giggling at? :-P C'mon, short stack. You know where your dad is hiding?
Lily (to Nathaniel): Heehee. He's not hiding, he's with Mrs. Esterly. They're figuring out our travel plans. Like who's staying & who's going and where are they going.
Nathaniel (to Lily): Let's get you to bed. Mrs. Esterly is already gonna read me the riot act for letting you stay up late.
Lily (to Nathaniel): Yes, daddy.
A short time later:
Nathaniel (to Marlena): Hey. Pass over that lighter, will you? Lilian is down and out.
Marlena (to Nathaniel): Here, you go… She's a good kid. Clearly, she's not yours or Aiden's by birth. ;-P
Nathaniel (to Marlena): Heh heh. Clearly. And believe me, she knows. She did the math.
Marlena (to Nathaniel): So, she's a smarty-pants, as well as, a card sharp… You are going to have your hands full when she gets to be older.
Nathaniel (to Marlena): God... Don't fucking remind me.
Marlena (to Nathaniel): And, you've got Seph being her tutor. That isn't fucking helping things, you realize?
Nathaniel (to Marlena): Yeah. Prolly not, but she enjoys the lessons, and... Of you want the fucking truth, I like the idea of Seph teaching her more than most of the other idiots we interviewed. I wasn't real keen on the folks who wanted to make sure she was educated on how to be a "proper lady."
Marlena (to Nathaniel): Heh. Well, Lilian likes & listens to her so I guess that's the important part.
Nathaniel (to Marlena): Yeah. In this family? That's a fucking miracle in and of itself. ... So. You waiting on me to ask you about River, or what?
Marlena (to Nathaniel): … I was honestly fucking hoping that you weren't going to bug me about it.
Nathaniel (to Marlena): I figured. I know you. If you wanna talk about you would. But you keep eye-balling me outta the corner of your eye when you don't think I'm looking. If you don't wanna talk about it, don't.
Marlena (to Nathaniel): … Are you trying to use psychology on me? Because, it's a pretty simple, River doesn't want to move in with me. And, I'd like him to… It doesn't really matter why. I just thought that after 3 years of dating, it was time to move forward.
Nathaniel (to Marlena): Seems to me the why is pretty fucking important. River seems like his damn commitment issues got commitment issues. If he isn't ready to move in with you he isn't fucking ready. You can't ask him to do more than he can. Isn't like you're on some kinda deadline... Holy shit You totally are, aren't you? In your fucking head, I mean.
Marlena (to Nathaniel): What!?! No, I'm not… It's nothing like that. It's just, well, if after 3 years he doesn't want to move forward. I doubt he ever will be… And, maybe we should break up.
Nathaniel (to Marlena): Did you ask him what he wants or why he doesn't wanna move in with you? And yeah. You so totally have a timeline. If you didn't, you wouldn't be so upset.
Marlena (to Nathaniel): That's not why I'm fucking upset! I'm upset because-- never mind. And yes, I did fucking talk to him. He just told me, it was a big fucking commitment & he wasn't ready.
Persephone (to Marlena & Nathaniel): … It's because she thinks she's knocked up, Nate.
Marlena (to Persephone & Nathaniel): Seph! You fucking asshole.
Persephone (to Marlena): What!?! Tell me I'm wrong.
Nathaniel (to Marlena): Seriously? (to Persephone) And how the fuck did you know that?
Marlena (to Nathaniel & Persephone): Yeah… I have to wait a couple more days. It's too early according to the box. And, I seriously hate you sometimes, Seph.
Persephone (to Nathaniel): It was the only explanation as to why she's so worked up about it & I'm not an idiot. (to Marlena) You cut me to the quick, Mars sweetie.
Nathaniel (to Marlena): Shit... I didn't even think that. I thought it was cuz River was thinking about taking off cuz he's an idiot. (to Persephone) Holy shit, how long were you waiting to break out that Aunt Poppy-ism?
Persephone (to Nathaniel): Hush you… And, let's focus on helping our cousin through this difficult time.
Marlena (to Nathaniel & Persephone): Fat fucking Christ, no. Feel free to keep bickering amongst yourselves. I'm dealing with it just fine.
Persephone (to Marlena): Oh really? Have you told your mom or dad?
Marlena (to Persephone): Not in the fucking slightest. There might not be anything to worry about & I don't want to deal with the fucking speeches or the looks until I have to.
Nathaniel (to Marlena): ... Yeah. Sure you're fine. Doesn't matter if you aren't, anyway. You're gonna be fucking fine. No matter what the fuck happens. You're gonna be fine. ... You should probably still talk to River.
Marlena (to Nathaniel & Persephone): I don't want to make him be with me because I might be… you know. He should be with me because he wants to be with me. Besides, if I am… you know… then, I might not want to keep it. And, I don't need to deal with his boy hormones being all in a twist.
Persephone (to Marlena): Mars, are you sure you're not a robot that's been programmed to be nothing but brilliant & grumpy?
Nathaniel (to Marlena): ... I'm not gonna tell you it isn't your choice, Mars. That's fucking stupid. But he's involved.
Marlena (to Nathaniel & Persephone): … Will you both just leave it the fuck alone? I'll talk to him when I'm ready.
Nathaniel (to Marlena): Alright. Alright. We're only harping on you cuz we're fucking worried about you, you know. We fucking love you, you asshole.
Marlena (to Persephone & Nathaniel): … Oh my fucking god, are you both seriously hugging me?
Nathaniel (to Marlena & Persephone): I'd like it duly fucking noted that I did not initiate this shit. This was all Seph.
Persephone (to Marlena & Nathaniel): Shut up & take it, you grump… I'd swear you two were separated at birth, if I didn't know better. I'm going to bed. You are on your own.
Marlena (to Persephone): Thanks for everything, Seph. Sleep well. (to Nathaniel) I should probably get home.
Nathaniel (to Persephone): You only think that cuz we look so much alike. Night. See you tomorrow. (to Marlena) Yeah alright. If you're ready. Where you want me to drop you off?
Marlena (to Nathaniel): My apartment would be just fine.
Nathaniel (to Marlena): You got it. ... You know if you need... Heh. Nevermind. Fucking forget it. Grab my hands.
Marlena (to Nathaniel): What were you going to say, Nate? You can't be all fucking shy now.
Nathaniel (to Marlena): Me? Shy? You got me confused with the other guy. I was just gonna say if you needed someone to vent at. You know, cuz Victor isn't around anymore... It's not like I can't make myself available.
Marlena (to Nathaniel): Heh. Thanks…Why'd my parents have to be so fucking dysfunctional that they didn't have kids until they were older than most? This would be so much fucking easier to deal with if this were just normal… They're going to shit a brick.
Nathaniel (to Marlena): Seriously. You think your folks are the dysfunctional ones. In this fucking group. Seriously?!? You think Aunt Poppy and Uncle Vincent WOULDN'T shit a brick if it were Victor? You know for a fucking fact they would.
Marlena (to Nathaniel): Okay, okay. Fat Christ! Are you the only person that's allowed to have a nervous fucking breakdown from time to time?
Nathaniel (to Marlena): No shit. You have no idea how much I had to chew off your mom's ear when I first got here. Yeah. That's exactly what I think. Grab my fucking hands... You need a breather.
Marlena (to Nathaniel): Where are we going?
Nathaniel (to Marlena): Hold on...
A moment later, on a beach; Hawaii:
Nathaniel (to Marlena): Oof. Heh. Hurt a bit more goin' out, so you know. We're in Hawaii. Or, as I like to call it... Emotional Break Down Beach. Sometimes you just need breathing room, you know? I'll take you back whenever you're ready... Holy shit. You're the one who told me to be mud, aren't you?
Marlena (to Nathaniel): Yeah, I fucking did... Heh. It's nice to see you were listening. Thanks.
Nathaniel (to Marlena): Heh. Yeah I was. That shit saved my ass when I was in CLANNG. I kept wondering where I got that from. You're welcome.
Marlena (to Nathaniel): So, River was really thinking of taking off?
Nathaniel (to Marlena): Maybe. I dunno for sure. I recognized the look, you know? But he said he wouldn't do that. Which is good, cuz after I kick his ass he'd never be able to show his face again. He also said he loved you. I think he's just freaked and you being pissed at his hair-gelled ass isn't helping. Heh. Have pity on us mere mortals too stupid to figure shit out.
Marlena (to Nathaniel): Says the guy who practically launched himself like a rocket into an apartment with his boyfriend, has a kid & is engaged. And, you guys have been together two years or so... I give up. I shall be mud.
Nathaniel (to Marlena): Blow me. Gimme a fucking example of any point in the past 3, no, fucking 5 years my life's even resembled normal. Don't fucking play this game with me, Mars. You wanna be mad at me for not telling you what you wanna hear? Go ahead. Shit, girl. Welcome to the human fucking condition. I'm sorry this is shitty & terrifying. I really am. But it's gonna be ok.
Marlena (to Nathaniel): No, I'm mad because I don't know what to do & I can't stand it. I'm just gonna shut up now. I know you're just trying to help. I'm sorry for acting like a dick.
Nathaniel (to Marlena): You're freaked. You're used to having all the answers. I'm fine. My skin'a thicker than that. We're good.
Marlena (to Nathaniel): Heh. You're pretty good at this shit.
Nathaniel (to Marlena): Heh. You think? I'm not really. You're just so bad at it, I seem good by comparison.
Marlena (to Nathaniel): Heh. Shut up, I'm trying to be mud over here. :-p
Nathaniel (to Marlena): Yeah. Yeah. I'm shutting up.
