In Maladori's secret laboratory; Liverpool, Britannia:
Starling: Who's a pretty, little bunny? You are.
At Aiden's house; New London, Britannia:
Lily (to Aiden & Nathaniel): Daddy! Second Daddy! Wake up! Wake up! I made you breakfast ... um, in bed! Miss Persephone taught me!
Aiden (to Lily): ... Dear God, Lily... I will have to kil-- thank Persephone, later. Oh good, there's tea.
Nathaniel (to Lily & Aiden): Jesus... Mornin', Lil' Bit. What's with the hovering? You wanna get in the bed?
Lily (to Nathaniel): Oh. Um, sure... Is this a trick so you can go back to sleep?
Aiden: I certainly hope so.
Nathaniel (to Lily): Heh. You think I would do something that underhanded? Hop up. What's the occasion for an early breakfast. A REAL early breakfast...
Lily (to Aiden & Nathaniel): We are supposed to go to an art museum for our morning class. If we get there early, it's not as crowded. And, Miss Persephone said that something happened with Mister Victor & she wanted to go check on him.
Nathaniel (to Lily & Aiden): Hell... I hope everything's OK.
Aiden (to Lily & Nathaniel): What has happened with Victor? Should we perhaps go check it out?
Lily (to Aiden & Nathaniel): I'm not sure.
Nathaniel (to Lily & Aiden): Yeah. I was gonna say I'm surprised Seph didn't tell us, but she's prolly freaking out a bit right now.
Lily (to Aiden & Nathaniel): Oh! Speaking of that. I should go! She's waiting. Enjoy your breakfast, daddies! See you later today!
Aiden (to Lily): Oof. Thank you, sweetheart. (to Nathaniel) Heh. Shall we stay in bed and enjoy our breakfast?
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Heh. For a little while longer, at least. It feels cold out there.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): I think winter is rearing it's ugly head a bit today... Cuddle up. I'll go grab another blanket from the chest.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Or I could just steal all your warmth... Yeah. This works for me.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Heh. Happy to oblige... I hope you don't mind that I'm falling back to sleep.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Nah. Heh. I'll probably be right behind you soon enough.
A few hours later, at the Longfellow bunker, The Tombs; New London, Britannia:
Victor (to Persephone): Oy Seph! I wondered when you'd be making an appearance. Your mum hasn't got you working today? (to Lily) Oh, hullo.
Persephone (to Victor & Lily): ... I don't work at the inn, anymore. I'm Miss Lilian's governess. Miss Lilian, this is Victor. Whom you have met before but seem to have... What the bloody hell has happened to you?
Victor (to Persephone): ...Right. O'course. (to Lily) I hope you'll forgive my atrocious manners, Miss Lilian.
Lily (to Victor): Heehee. Hi, Mister Victor.
Victor (to Persephone & Lily): It's... Uh, complicated... I'm not sure how much of the tale you want me boring your young charge with.
Lily (to Victor & Persephone): It's okay. I'll go find um, somewhere to be... Or maybe, the Potters.
Victor (to Lily & Persephone): My mum and dad are in the big room at the end of this tunnel, whacking at one another with swords if you want to see. If that's alright with your governess here, that is.
Lily (to Victor): Oh, I do! (to Persephone) Would that be alright?
Persephone (to Lily & Victor): Yes. Just don't wander around unescorted. These tunnels can be tricky.
Lily (to Persephone): Yes, ma'am. (to Victor) Nice to see you, Mister Victor.
Victor (to Lily): You too. (to Persephone) … Heh heh. What daft bugger made you a governess? ;-p
Persephone (to Victor): Hush you... She's Aiden's daughter. It's a very long story. But, Nate & Aiden asked me to do it, because who else could they have around with all the craziness you nutters seem to attract? Besides, I like doing it, surprisingly. And, I get to help out Mrs. Esterly and live in the carriage house with my boyfriend, Joseph. It's wonderful. Now, what the hell is going on? You don't normally talk like a street urchin unless you're upset. Problems with Yuki?
Victor (to Persephone): I'm so sorry, Miss Persephone. I didn't mean to upset your delicate sensibilities. Better? :-p Things are tense between Yuki and I, but we're working at it... I'm, uh... How do I put this? I'm the Victor from the same timeline as Nate. I'm a bit different.
Persephone (to Victor): ... Oh, bloody 'ell. Really? The one where Aunt Poppy & Uncle Vincent were dead? That's just mad. Aaah, pull the other one, it's got bells on. You're trying to put one over me, aren't you?
Victor (to Persephone): Yeah. Innit a lark to pretend my folks were dead on I was living in the Tombs? C'mon, Seph. I'm not that big a twat.
Persephone (to Victor): No, I suppose not... What happened to the other you?
Victor (to Persephone): I dunno. I think he's rattling around in here somewhere. No one seems to know quite what's goin' on...
Persephone (to Victor): Well, I'm glad I'm not alone in feeling out of the loop.
Victor (to Persephone): Ha ha ha! Not at all. I've got no bloody idea what's goin' on... Wait. Did you say that girl was Aiden's? How ruddy old was he when she was born? 10? What poor deluded creature joined giblets with Wilkes?
Persephone (to Victor): She's actually his brother's. Like I said, a long story. Gimme a hug, you.
Victor (to Persephone): With pleasure. Heh. So far you seem like the only one that doesn't feel like some fun-house version of the person I knew. Of course, you HAVE gone all respectable... Maybe you're the most different one of all of 'em. :-p
Persephone (to Victor): Nah, it's just because I'm already pretty moo. You can't mess with perfection... And who said I was respectable? ;-p
Victor (to Persephone): Thank god! How'd I ever endure the shame of it all?
Persephone (to Victor): Oh, you would cry so many bitter tears. It would be SO embarrassing. Heh. Did Aunt Poppy give you a dossier? I remember her giving you one after you changed the timeline where my parents died. Because, things were a bit different. She tested you for days. You were so annoyed. Heh. She probably remembered you doing that & wanted to teach you a lesson.
Victor (to Persephone): Heh. Yeah. She did. O'COURSE she did. I must not have made it to the bit with Lilian, yet, which is no surprise. The bloody thing is Bible thick. Heh. I don't mind so much.
Persephone (to Victor): Heehee. That sounds about right. Well, when you're feeling bit less wobbly & want to get out of this bloody bunker. Come visit me, I'll re-introduce you to Joseph and we'll have dinner… You can even bring Yuki, if you like or not, it's up to you.
Victor (to Persephone): Heh. Hoping for some gossip on that front, aren't you? We're still learning about each other a bit, but we're moo. I knew her in my time as well. Almost seems like we can't stay away from one another.
Persephone (to Victor): Heh… Was she as scary? Because, if I hadn't seen her having a panic attack, I would have sworn she wasn't human. She walks around like a cat stalking her prey. It's a bit unnerving. Don't get me wrong, I like her & I'm glad you have each other. She just makes me feel… well, clumsy & a bit like an oaf.
Yukiko (to Persephone & Victor): I'm surprised anyone could make you feel like that, Persephone. You always seem so sure of yourself.
Persephone (to Yukiko & Victor): AHHH! Don't do that! It's very rude to sneak up on people like that! I could have died!
Victor (to Persephone): Ha ha ha! Don't pout at me, Seph. If it were me jumping outta my skin, you'd be on the floor in stitches.
Persephone (to Victor): That's because it would be funny.
Yukiko (to Persephone & Victor): Well, I think it's a bit rude to be talking about people behind their back… I just came to let you know that Zoe has fixed lunch in the mess, if you're hungry. And, that Lilian is having sword lessons.
Victor (to Persephone): Uh oh... Your ward's going to be jabbing things before you know it.
Persephone (to Yukiko & Victor): Oh, great. She's already been bugging her fathers for a sword of her very own to practice with. I'm going to kill Uncle Vincent.
Yukiko (to Persephone): I was younger than Lilian when I started with a sword. I see no harm in it.
Victor (to Persephone): Don't look at me! It wasn't like I had a normal upbringing.
Persephone (to Yukiko): That is so not helping…
Persephone (to Victor & Yukiko): You both are terrible... I should go and rescue Uncle Vincent from Lilian before she does any real damage. And THEN, I'll kill him. ;-P (to Victor) Oh, and I meant what I said about dinner. Come over any time.
Yukiko (to Persephone & Victor): No need to run off, Persephone. I'm sorry for interrupting. I have some maintenance to do aboard the Sister. I was on my way to do that when I heard you two speaking. I'm sure you have a lot to catch up on.
Victor (to Yukiko): Heh. I think Seph wants to see to her gel before my dad teaches her any more bad habits. (to Persephone) I'll come to dinner soon, Seph, and fill you in on whatever gory details you want. I may make you a dossier.
Persephone (to Victor & Yukiko): I'll hold you to it, Victor. See you both later!
Victor (to Persephone): Cheers! (to Yukiko) Need any help with the maintenance? Heh. I've got a book's worth of info on the Sister, but not a lot of hands on experience with her.
Yukiko (to Victor): I can give you the grand tour, if you like. You, Felix & Zoe have been flying it about while I've been gone. I'm sure there's plenty of work to do. Felix gave me a short list but, I think I need to see for myself before I get started. And, I can kill two birds with one stone by giving you a tour. Just watch out for Zoe's damn squirrel.
Victor (to Yukiko): ... Squirrel? Heh heh heh. This should be interesting.
A few hours later, onboard the Wicked Sister, in the hangar:
Yukiko (to Felix & Victor): Hey, where are those transducers I asked for an hour ago!?! I can't get this stabilizer working without them.
Victor (to Yukiko): Keep yer shirt on, my twist and curl! We've got 'em. We had to get a bit creative with the wiring.
Felix (to Yukiko & Victor): Heh. Seems the squirrel developed a taste for vital conductors of electricity.
Victor (to Felix & Yukiko): Awww, you can't blame the poor ickle bugger. She's got nothing to chew on in here. (to Risu) Do ya, Miss Squirrel.
Yukiko (to Victor): Wonderful! You've made friends with the little beast. I don't know what you did to this ship while I was gone, but this engine is a mess.
Victor (to Yukiko): Avoiding mucking it out from the looks of it. Bloody hell! Ha ha ha! Don't murder me! I just got here!
Felix (to Yukiko & Victor): I'm not saying a thing.
Yukiko (to Victor & Felix): … You're both very lucky… Ow! Damn it. It shocked me.
Victor (to Yukiko): Shit! Lemme have a butchers at it. Sorry! I didn't wrap this wire right... There you are.
Yukiko (to Victor): Thank you.
Felix (to Yukiko & Victor): What else do we need us to do, Ms Yuki?
Victor (to Felix): Besides muck out the engines, you mean? (to Yukiko) How's your hand?
Yukiko (to Victor & Felix): It's okay. It was just a minor shock… I think we can call it a day. We got a lot done. We can muck out the engine tomorrow. It might be awhile before we go anywhere. At least until Victor is feeling up to it.
Victor (to Yukiko & Felix): Oh. Right. You lot're waiting on me, aren't ya? Heh. I won't be too long.
Felix (to Yukiko & Victor): No worries, Captain. Take your time.
Yukiko (to Victor & Felix): Yes. I'll get the ship in good shape and then, I have been asked to go to Nice. Mister Rodchenko has asked for assistance with security at the casino, because of everything… I shouldn't be gone too long, just a few months. I know Zoe was raving about the place. It will probably seem dull after Cheng's stronghold.
Victor (to Yukiko): You're headed out again? ... Oh. (to Felix) Don't hang about on our account, Mr. Baldwin. I'm sure Zoe's looking for you.
Felix (to Victor): I think I'll do just that, Captain. (to Yukiko) Good night, Miss Yuki. I'll see you ridiculously bright and early.
Yukiko (to Felix): Heh. Yes, you will. And, thank you, Felix. (to Victor) I thought you might like the space to spend time with your family… Was I wrong? You're making a face... You could come with me, if you like.
Victor (to Yukiko): Heh. I don't doubt that I am. I want to spend time with Mum and Dad, o'course, but I've liked spending time with you as well. I'd feel rotten leaving Mr. Baldwin in the lurch while I was off in Nice. Heh heh heh... And, uh, I might not be welcome in a casino ... Wait. No one knows me here, do they? Brilliant!
Yukiko (to Victor): So, you'll come with me? We could see if Zoe & Felix want to come with us. We could even take the Sister there.
Victor (to Yukiko): Heh. Yeah. I'd like to. If you'll have me, that is.
Yukiko (to Victor): As if there was any question. It might be nice to be somewhere different while we get reacquainted with each other.
Victor (to Yukiko): Sounds like an excellent idea to me. And I promise not to cheat anyone.... Who will notice.
Yukiko (to Victor): I'm game, if you are. Heh. You certainly are different. Not in a bad way. You were a bit of a fuddy duddy, sometimes.
Victor (to Yukiko): Heh. So I've heard. Seems a bit on the inconceivable side in this family. Heh heh. Though, I suppose someone had to be fussy.
Yukiko (to Victor): C'mere.
Victor (to Yukiko): Yer the boss. ...I didn't keep the tie on when we got down to business did I? Bloody hell! Say I didn't!
Yukiko (to Victor): Heh. Only if I asked you to. ;-)
Victor (to Yukiko): Heh heh. Well thank god for that at least.
