In the training room, Longfellow bunker, The Tombs; New London, Britannia:
Victor (to Vincent): I'm not so sure about this, Dad...
Vincent (to Victor): No? I think it's a great idea. C'mon, Little Man... En garde!
Victor (to Vincent): Heh. Of course you do. That's because you aren't the one who hasn't picked up a sword in three or four years.
Vincent (to Victor): All the more reason for you to practice now. And seriously? You didn't practice ONCE in four years?
Victor (to Vincent): Not with regularity. Wasn't much call for it where I was, was there? ...Shouldn't I be helping Yuki with the engines?
Vincent (to Victor): Hee hee. Stop your stalling, Victor. You won't hurt me. C'mon, kiddo. You start.
Victor (to Vincent): ... Awright. Have it your way. But, I don't wanna hear ONE bloody word about how sloppy my form is.
Several hours later, at Casino de la Renard; Nice, French Republic:
Sang Gi (to Bianca & Grigori): Congratulations, Mister & Missus Rodchenko… I've been sent by the staff to let you know that you can't get married without us making a big deal of it. We have bubbly & hors d'oeuvres in the private dining room. Gretchen made you a beautiful cake & Hari pulled some strings to get a band, so there's dancing.
Grigori (to Sang Gi & Bianca): Ha ha ha! We should have known we couldn't get away with anything around you sneaks. Spasibo, Gee.
Bianca (to Grigori): … Did you know about this, my bear?
Grigori (to Bianca): I assure you, I did not, my glory.
Bianca (to Grigori & Sang Gi): HAHAHA. I didn't think anything could happen here without your knowledge, my husband. This may be the best wedding present I could have… to see you surprised. ;-P
Grigori (to Bianca & Sang Gi): Heh heh. Apparently, I'm getting too old, or I'm hiring people who are far too clever for my good.
Sang Gi (to Bianca & Grigori): Heh… If you both will follow me.
Bianca (to Sang Gi): We're right behind you. (to Grigori) And, you are just right, if you ask me, my bear.
Grigori (to Bianca): And for that I am eternally grateful. (to Sang Gi) Thank you, molodoy chelovek.
A short time later, in the private dining room:
Grigori (to Ariadne): Ah! Hari, are you responsible for this, sestrenka? Only you are this underhanded. Vyochen' podlyy zhenshchiny.
Ariadne (to Grigori): Heehee. Vy govorite, chto sladkiye veshchi, dyadya. And, it was only partially my doing. Nicolette & Gretchen are mostly to blame. One of them overheard Bianca making the arrangements for her dress & then, well, they started paying attention. Next thing I knew they had figured out when you were doing it. Voila! They started making plans. I feel sorry for the poor men that decide to marry those two… And, they are SO not being involved with my wedding. They became hideous she-beasts! ;-P
Grigori (to Ariadne): Ha ha ha! I'll be sure to thank them personally, and keep them very, very busy when you start planning your nuptials.
Ariadne (to Grigori): I would be very grateful, dyadya. I actually started while they were planning your party, it made a great distraction... Oh! Congratulations! I am so happy for you. I hope you and Bianca have a wonderful life together.
Grigori (to Ariadne): Spasibo tebe, moy golub'. I hope so too. At the very least, I seem to have made her very happy. And making the ones I care for happy, makes me happy. Heh heh heh. I have become quite the sentimentalist in my old age.
Ariadne (to Grigori): I think it's quite sweet, dyadya. And, you make a dashing couple. I think she helps keep you young. You seem lighter on your feet lately. Or maybe that's just because I feel like a hippo. :-P
Grigori (to Ariadne): Ha ha ha! By that logic, I make her old. ;-p You are hardly a hippo, my dear. You've positively got a glow. Or perhaps that is just ambient glow from Mr. Yong. You know I saw him smile the other day? Unheard of!
Ariadne (to Grigori): Heh. I don't think I've ever seen anyone happier than he is about having a baby. Let alone two of them. I think he secretly always wanted to have a family of his own. Heh. Gee has even been on his best behavior since he found out he was going to be an uncle… Oh, speaking of which, were you able to find someone to come and help with security while we're off on our honeymoon and baby duties? I know it will make Ji Yong less worried if you all are safe while we're away.
Grigori (to Ariadne): I was. Mrs. Esterly was able to recommend two former ISS agents she knows, and your friend Mr. Jones has agreed to help as well. It should say something that I feel I need three people to replace your future husband. ;-)
Ariadne (to Grigori): Heehee. Don't I know it? It's one of the reasons I like him so much. ;-P
Grigori (to Ariadne): Heh. I'm so very happy for you, sestrenka. I hope you and Mr. Yong give each other all the happiness you both deserve so much.
Ariadne (to Grigori): That's very nice, dyadya, but we're supposed to be celebrating your special day… Go save your wife from Nicolette. :-P
Grigori (to Ariadne): Oh dear... I do believe Nicolette is about to get murdered. Excuse me.
Sang Gi (to Bianca): A glass of the bubbly for you, Missus Rodchenko… (to Nicolette) Nicolette, stop pestering her about babies.
Bianca (to Sang Gi): Thank you, Gee… She is so insufferable.
Grigori (to Sang Gi & Bianca): Can I get a glass of that, Gee? I'm so, sorry to leave you alone with Nicolette, gorgeous.
Sang Gi (to Bianca & Grigori): Heh. Yes, of course. I was concerned she was going to bash Nicolette in the head.
Bianca (to Sang Gi): I wouldn't have done that… Here. (to Grigori) Heh. Already bored with me, my bear?
Grigori (to Bianca): Bored? With you? Heh heh. I don't believe I can comprehend the concept. Not at all. I was reassuring the future Mrs. Ji Yong that we will be perfectly safe while they are gone.
Bianca (to Grigori): Of course, we will. I have great faith in your ability to hire the right people. Look at all this. You distill loyalty & affection in your employees. We will be just fine. Here, let me fix your tie, my bear… Shall we sneak out & have our own celebration? I grabbed a bottle of bubbly.
Grigori (to Bianca): Missus, that is the best idea that I have heard all night. Come, my dove, let us sneak out while everyone is distracted.
Bianca (to Grigori): Lead the way, my husband.
A little while later, in the casino:
Ariadne (to Ji Yong): How's it going out here, Ji Yong? Do you want me to take over for a bit so you can go to the party?
Ji Yong (to Ariadne): It is quite alright. I don't mind staying on the floor while everyone else enjoys themselves. I can pay my respects to Mr. and Mrs. Rodchenko tomorrow, as they have already retired for the evening.
Ariadne (to Ji Yong): Have they? Those sneaks! Heh. I'm sure it'll be an hour or so before Gretchen or Nicolette realizes it. Want some company? It's kinda boring when I can't drink and dancing hurts my feet, at the moment. Not to mention, I've already had my sugar for the day, so no cake for me.
Ji Yong (to Ariadne): I certainly wouldn't mind your company.
Ariadne (to Ji Yong): Good... Heh. Dyadya said he caught you smiling the other day. Why would you do a crazy thing like that? :-p
Ji Yong (to Ariadne): Ah... Most likely I did not realize he was watching me so closely.
Ariadne (to Ji Yong): I was just teasing you. I'm glad you feel like smiling. Dyadya also told me that he has 3 people coming to help while we're off honeymooning and once the babies arrive.
Ji Yong (to Ariadne): Good. That is a relief. I will admit I was concerned. I don't suppose he mentioned who it was that he has hired?
Ariadne (to Ji Yong): Not all by name. He said a couple former ISS agents & Nate. They were recommended by Mrs Esterly.
Ji Yong (to Ariadne): I assume one of them will be Mr. Wilkes. That is very good. I sometimes fear that with all of the excitement I am neglecting... Excuse me. I need to go see to that gentleman.
Ariadne (to Ji Yong): Yes, of course.
A couple minutes later:
Ji Yong (to Ariadne): I am sorry for the interruption. I'm afraid that individual was out of chances to behave himself...What was I saying? Ah. Yes. I worry sometimes I am not as mindful of my duties here with all the excitement.
Ariadne (to Ji Yong): I think you're doing just fine, handsome. Besides, I like watching you work. It's damn sexy. Sorry. Hormones. I'm apparently in some sort of horny phase of pregnancy... I should go lay down.
Ji Yong (to Ariadne): Qu'est-ce que tu veux dire... Ah! I should be finished with work shortly. Would you like me to escort you?
Ariadne (to Ji Yong): Yes, please...
A little while later, at Ji Yong's suite:
Ji Yong (to Ariadne): ...Hmmm. I believe this will be the first time I've ever spent time away from my place of employment. Would you like me to fetch you anything before you retire?
Ariadne (to Ji Yong): All I need is you, handsome. ;-)
Ji Yong (to Ariadne): Then I shall be back. I need to make one more round of the casino floor. Je reviendrai à vous aussi rapidement que possible.
Ariadne (to Ji Yong): I'll be fine. See you shortly. Je t'aime.
Ji Yong (to Ariadne): Je t'aime aussi.
