On an airship; heading towards Qin:
Amunet (to Yukiko): So, you really think I can help you with this Madam Cheng person?
Yukiko (to Amunet): … I don't believe I said that. Miss Poppy seemed to think you could be useful & since you can't be in New London or go to Cairo, coming with me to Qin seemed the best alternative. Besides, Ms. Dvorak says you're very good at finding people & things. That may come in handy… Just don't get in my way & when I tell you to do something, I expect you to do it. Okay?
Amunet (to Yukiko): Aye, aye, mon capitan… You don't seem to like me very much. Why is that?
Yukiko (to Amunet): … Perhaps, it's because you talk too much.
A couple hours later, at the Casino de la Renard; Nice, French Republic:
Felix (to Zoe): Are you ready to go, gorgeous? Heh heh. Why are you pouting? Had a taste of the good life and now you don't want to leave?
Zoe (to Felix): Yeah… I like it here and not just because of the casino. It's been nice having you all to myself. I'm going to miss that.
Felix (to Zoe): Heh heh. Sorry, pretty lady. I need to get back to work. I'll miss having you all to myself as well.
Zoe (to Felix): … Stupid work getting in the way of my sweet time with my man. There should be a law. ;-P
Felix (to Zoe): Heh heh. As shocking as this is, I don't get paid just to be me. ;-)
Zoe (to Felix): No, you're right… And, shit… I'm going to need to find a job and a place to live. I'm certainly not going to be able to go back to high school, now. And, I'd feel weird mooching off my parents. I guess I've got to figure some stuff out.
Felix (to Zoe): I'm sure Momma and Poppa will give you enough time to sort yourself out.
Zoe (to Felix): I know. But, I can't sit around the bunker all day… I'll figure something out. Come on, let's get you back.
Felix (to Zoe): Hold on for a minute... Heh. I just wanted to get one more moment alone with you.
Zoe (to Felix): Let's go somewhere else. Just you & me. We'll get jobs, find a place to live. A life all our own… Interested? Maybe a little?
Felix (to Zoe): ... I am, but that seems like a bad way to pay off the debt I owe your family. Heh heh. Looking to leave home already?
Zoe (to Felix): Already? … Oh, right… I'm sorry, I keep forgetting that I didn't get here, naturally. I keep having memories of the past few years but they haven't actually happened yet.
Felix (to Zoe): Oh... That has to be more than a bit odd. Of course, it's also been more than a bit handy, hasn't it? I know it might be a trial right now, Zoe but I'd wager your parents would be heartsick if you left too soon. Enjoy being wanted for a while...
Zoe (to Felix): You're wanted too, you know... They were just as broken-hearted as I was when you were thinking about-- What was I saying? Damn it. It happened again, didn't it? I swear, I'm going to be thrilled when these stupid things stop… I've already filled half this notebook.
Felix (to Zoe): It might have. Heh. You stopped halfway through before you said anything odd. ;-)
Zoe (to Felix): Well, that's good… Okay, I think we've procrastinated, enough… Take my hand.
Felix (to Zoe): Aye aye.
A moment later, at the Longfellow bunker; New London, Britannia:
Zoe (to Felix): … Oof… And, here we are. Bunker sweet bunker…
Felix (to Zoe): Heh. So we are. Heh. Why is it no place else smells like New London? Let's sneak off before anyone realizes we're back. If we're not needed, we might as well entertain ourselves.
Zoe (to Felix): Heh. I thought you were the one anxious to get back.
Felix (to Zoe): I thought we could read one another passages from the Bible.
Zoe (to Felix): And what, pray tell, did you have in mind?
Felix (to Zoe): Heh. You mean I've aligned myself with a group of godless heathens?!? Oh good...
Zoe (to Felix): HAHAHA… Like you'd ever find a bible in this place. My father would have a stroke.
Winchester (to Felix & Zoe): … I do believe my ears are burning. Mister New York! So, good to see you again, upright this time… And, who is this fetching creature? … Can it be? Zoe? My goodness, how you have… grown… I didn't know you had it in you.
Zoe (to Winchester): … Good evening, Mister Fox. I see Mom finally found you.
Felix (to Winchester & Zoe): ... It's good to see you too, I'm sure, sir. Your better half here as well?
Winchester (to Zoe & Felix): Yes, she sent that mechanical monstrosity, Percy, to roust us from our island hideaway… It was quite terrible. Fiona & I had almost closed a deal on a darling little lighthouse. She said it was wonderfully fortified.
Fiona (to Winchester, Felix & Zoe): That it was. Walls a good meter thick, and so remote I could have shot a man from a mile off. Ah well. Such is not to be. I'll have to comfort myself with this gorgeous wee bunker...
Winchester (to Fiona): Heh. Would you like to be alone with it, firebug? I'm worried you're about to swoon.
Fiona (to Winchester): Heh. Give us a moment alone, lovely. I promise not to make you too jealous.
Winchester (to Fiona): You'll come crawling back, firebug. There's, oh so, many things that I can do for you, that this bunker can't. ;-P
Zoe (to Felix): … And, I thought my parents were bad.
Felix (to Zoe): Shall we leave them alone?
Fiona (to Felix & Zoe): Hahaha! Yes. I think you'd best. :-P
Zoe (to Winchester & Fiona): Heh. I'm sure we'll see you both later. (to Felix) Come on.
Felix (to Zoe): With pleasure. (to Fiona & Winchester) Ms McGillivray. Mr. Fox. Good to see you again. Excuse us.
A few minutes later, in Felix's room:
Zoe (to Felix): … Now, where were we?
Felix (to Zoe): Right about here, I think...
Meanwhile, at Renfield's; West Piedmont:
Oliver (to Mrs. Peter Jones): Good evening, miss. What can I get for you?
Mrs. Peter Jones (to Oliver): I'm not sure... May I have an iced tea, please? Is that sweet tea?
Oliver (to Mrs. Peter Jones): No, but I would be happy to sweeten it for you.
Mrs. Peter Jones (to Oliver): Please. I'll take it as sweet as you can make it... Can I ask you a question, young man?
Oliver (to Mrs. Peter Jones): Of course.
Mrs. Peter Jones (to Oliver): Does a Nathaniel Jones work here?
Oliver (to Mrs. Peter Jones): ... Um, well, ma'am, I'm not sure that I can pass out information on any employees who might work here.
Mrs. Peter Jones (to Oliver): I understand. If Nate does happen to work here, could you let him know his mother stopped by? I'll be in town for a while.
Oliver (to Mrs. Peter Jones): Of course, miss. Here's you order. You can pay Sey at the register. Have a good evening!
A minute later:
Mouse (to Oliver): Oliver, who was that?
Oliver (to Mouse): She was looking for Nate. She said she was his mother, Miss Emma.
Mouse (to Oliver): … I thought I recognized her. I wonder what she wants… I'll be right back. I need to get a hold of Nate.
Oliver (to Mouse): Of course.
A short time later, in Mouse's office:
Mouse (to Nathaniel): Nate? Do you read me? It's Emma.
Nathaniel (to Mouse): Hello? Emma? It's me. What's up? Is everything alright? ...Shit. I didn't miss a shift, did I?
Mouse (to Nathaniel): No, you're fine… Your mother just came into work. I thought I should give you a head's up so you didn't get ambushed.
Nathaniel (to Mouse): Oh. Good. I was afraid that...Wait. What did you say? WHO showed up?
Mouse (to Nathaniel): Apparently, your mother. She asked Oliver if you worked here. He didn't tell her anything.
Nathaniel (to Mouse): ...Well, shit. What the fuck do those people want now? Thanks for letting me know, Emma.
Mouse (to Nathaniel): You're welcome. Like I said, I didn't want you to get ambushed.
Nathaniel (to Mouse): Yeah... They got a history of doing that, don't they? ... I'll see you soon alright?
Mouse (to Nathaniel): Take care of yourself, Nate. Say hello to Aiden for me.
Nathaniel (to Mouse): I will. G'night.
