At the Maladori residence; New London, Britannia:
Amunet (to Luc): Luc, you're up early... Well, for you. Would you like some tea?
Luc (to (Amunet): Yes, please... You look well, Amunet.
Amunet (to Luc): Heh. Well, since you've been avoiding my room for the last few nights, I've managed to catch up on my sleep. ;-P
Luc (to (Amunet): ... I haven't been avoid-- Okay, perhaps I have. I've just had a lot on my mind. It's not a reflection of how I feel about you or anything, sweetness. Besides, the professor has been concerned about my behavior. ;-)
Amunet (to Luc): Heh. Say no more, sexy. I was just teasing, anyway. Here. Drink this.
Luc (to (Amunet): Thank you... You know, you really are quite lovely. Perhaps, one day I will make an honest woman of you. ;-P
Amunet (to Luc): Gods, I hope not. ;-)
A few hours later, at the Longfellow bunker, The Tombs: New London, Britannia:
Poppy (to Fiona): Fiona honey, do you have anything to report regarding Victor?
Fiona (to Poppy): Not much, missus. He knew I had eyes on him so he stayed round the bunker mostly. He gave me the slip once to see Yuki, it seems.
Poppy (to Fiona): Ah well, it was worth try.
Fiona (to Poppy): He's a right sneaky one. Heh. You taught him well.
Poppy (to Fiona): Heehee. Thank you, honey... I have an idea of how to find out what he knows without him realizing it... Get someone sneakier. I'm going to go chat with my nephew. If you see my husband, will you let him know?
Fiona (to Poppy): Ha ha ha! Will do missus.
A short time later, at Aiden's house; New London, Britannia:
Poppy (to Mrs. Esterly): Good day, Mrs. Esterly. Is my nephew at home?
Mrs. Esterly (to Poppy):
Poppy (to Mrs. Esterly): Heehee. If you'd like to have an armful of child while I go see Nate, you are more than welcome, honey. I'm sure he'd like that. (to Lucas) Wouldn't you, Mister Lucas?
Mrs. Esterly (to Poppy):
Poppy (to Mrs. Esterly): I'll be back in a few, honey. (to Lucas) Be good for Mrs. Esterly, my sweet boy.
Mrs. Esterly (to Poppy):
A few minutes later, in the study:
Poppy: Nate, are you in here?
Lily (to Poppy): Oh, Miss Poppy! Hello. How are you?
Poppy (to Lily): I'm quite well, honey. I'm looking for Nate, is he here... (to Lily & Nathaniel) Or is he about to try and sneak up on me? :-P
Nathaniel (to Poppy & Lily): No. Not now at any rate.
Poppy (to Nathaniel & Lily): Heehee. You're getting better, honey. I'm sure you'll be sneaking up on me in no time. May I talk with you alone for a moment, Nate? I have a favor of a sensitive nature to ask you.
Lily (to Poppy & Nathaniel): It's alright. I should go and get ready for my English lesson with Joseph. Nice seeing you, Miss Poppy. I'll see you at dinner, daddy.
Poppy (to Lily): Thank you, sweetie. I'll come over for a proper visit with you sometime soon. I promise.
Lily (to Poppy & Nathaniel): Really? That would be lovely. :-)
Nathaniel (to Lily): Bye, Lil' Bit. I'll see you at supper. Don't start runn-- Nevermind. (to Poppy) What's up?
Poppy (to Nathaniel): Heehee. I was hoping you could find out what's going on with Victor, honey… I normally wouldn't ask but things have been a bit strange and awkward since his little transformation. He used to be a lot more straight-forward with me… I'm a little worried. Not to mention, I think he knows more about what's going on with Lucas than he's telling me. Could you possibly talk to him or Yuki? You don't have to tell me exactly what he said, if you feel like it would betray some sort of trust. Just let me know if I should be concerned or not.
Nathaniel (to Poppy): Oh. Uh, yeah. Sure...You really think I'm gonna be able to get info outta him that *you* couldn't?
Poppy (to Nathaniel): Heh. Honey, I haven't tried yet… I have a feeling he's trying to protect us, which is very sweet but unnecessary. Besides, I have a sneaking suspicion that I know what it is but I need to meet someone first before I know for sure.
Nathaniel (to Poppy): ... Alright. I'll see what I can find out.
Poppy (to Nathaniel): Thank you, honey… What was your impression of the meeting with Maladori?
Nathaniel (to Poppy): She wasn't telling us everything, just enough to make us jump. She's after something else. Something bigger. I'm guessing she wants to focus on whatever else she's got planned, which is why she wants us on "Hiiri Cleanup." .. Her having minions is new. Heh. Of course, so is destroying Hiiri.
Poppy (to Nathaniel): … Yes, it is, honey. And, Amunet said that Maladori was the architect of the aging Zoe plan. I'm not sure I trust anything that woman does. It seems like we've seen only a piece of large puzzle & I'm a bit concerned about what the big picture is. But, at the moment, I just want to make sure my loved ones are safe. And, if that means jumping through Maladori's hoops for a bit, I suppose it's worth it.
Nathaniel (to Poppy): Yeah. Believe me, nothing she does CAN be trusted... She's worse than Hiiri. At least Hiiri was a fucking robot. I'll see what we can find out.
Poppy (to Nathaniel): Alright. I appreciate it, honey. Heh. I should go rescue Mrs. Esterly from Lucas before he's destroyed her kitchen. Ta-ta!
Nathaniel (to Poppy): Later.
A couple minutes later, in the kitchen:
Poppy (to Mrs. Esterly): Heehee… Is Lucas giving you a hard time, honey?
Mrs. Esterly (to Poppy): Hee hee. Not at all, dear. He's been quite content to stay in the kitchen with me. He is an ACTIVE lad, isn't he?
Poppy (to Mrs. Esterly & Lucas): Heehee. That is very much an understatement. Come to momma, little man. Thank you for watching him for me, honey.
Mrs. Esterly (to Poppy): It was my pleasure. It's been a while since we've had a baby in the house. It always livens things up, doesn't it?
Poppy (to Mrs. Esterly): I should say so, honey. If you ever want to babysit, just say the word.
Mrs. Esterly (to Poppy): Oh, I would love that! Feel free to bring him by if you need a break. Though, maybe we'll have a wee one in the house sooner or later. I believe Master Aiden has mentioned getting Lily a sibling.
Poppy (to Mrs. Esterly): Oh? Heh. I'll keep that in mind. Goodbye, honey.
Mrs. Esterly (to Poppy): Good evening, dear. Be careful walking home.
Poppy (to Mrs. Esterly): Heehee. We're not walking… Toodles!
Mrs. Esterly: Oh! Good heavens, I would love to be able to manage a trick like that...
