At Aiden's house; New London, Britannia:
Mrs. Esterly (to Aiden): Oh! Master Aiden! We were hoping to see you home soon. Lilian will be thrilled. ...Where is Nathaniel, dear?
Aiden (to Mrs. Esterly): He is taking the long way around, Mrs. Esterly. I was a bit concerned about his recent run-in with Starling. We thought it best if he wasn't seen close to the house for a little while. I think he's going to have Miss Poppy bring him via the tunnels.
Mrs. Esterly (to Aiden): That was good thinking, dear. Hee hee. I knew I raised you well. Have a seat, and I'll fix you a plate. I daresay Lilian will be bombarding you with a wide assortment of questions soon enough.
Aiden (to Mrs. Esterly): Oh? I hope she hasn't been any trouble while we were gone. Several times I thought about coming to get you all but I wasn't sure the disruption in her routine would be good for her. I mean, after everything she's already been through.
Mrs. Esterly (to Aiden): She's been quite the handful. Hee hee. But no more than usual.. She's been worried since you've been gone. She was afraid you and Nathaniel were going to leave her. Hee. She tried not to show it, but she was so relieved when he came for a visit she barely left his side... You know I think you are both doing a wonderful job BUT I think right now leaving her behind is more distressing to her than disrupting her routine.
Aiden (to Mrs. Esterly): Fair enough. I certainly don't want to cause her any undue stress. And, thank you for all of your help. If it weren't for you, Joseph, and Persephone helping, I'm not sure we could have handled all of this.
Mrs. Esterly (to Aiden): Sweetheart, I have every confidence you two would have managed just fine. Hee hee. Of course, we've made things MUCH easier. Hee hee. Besides dear she's a Wilkes. You tend to thrive when presented with something new and exciting to learn.
Aiden (to Mrs. Esterly): Hmmm. She most certainly is a Wilkes… I wonder why Roland is such an ass, then?
Mrs. Esterly (to Aiden): Roland takes after your father a bit too much, I fear.
Nathaniel (to Mrs. Esterly): That's for damn sure. (to Poppy) Thanks for the trip back, Aunt Poppy.
Poppy (to Nathaniel, Mrs. Esterly & Aiden): You're very welcome, honey. It was nice seeing you all ever so briefly.
Nathaniel (to Poppy, Aiden & Mrs. Esterly): Heh. Thanks. I'm sure Lily'll insist we come for a visit soon.
Aiden (to Poppy): Good evening, Miss Poppy. Say hello to the family for us.
Mrs. Esterly (to Poppy): Good night, Ms Meriwether. (to Nathaniel & Aiden) Sit down, you two! You both look like you need a decent meal.
Aiden (to Nathaniel & Mrs. Esterly): Heh. She's been trying to get me to sit down for the last ten minutes… Did you have any trouble?
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Heh. Nah. No trouble. Not with Aunt Poppy running point. There's more patrols out, but they're all over. I'm not sure they were lookin' for me particularly.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): CLAANG patrols or simply City Guards?
Nathaniel (to Aiden): City Guard in the posh neighborhoods and CLANNG through the Tombs and Seven Dials.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): ... That seems odd. I would have thought that with Hiiri & Fitzroy out of the picture, CLANNG would have left the city.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): ...Yeah. Seems like Maladori gave herself a raise in position, huh? <yawn> Jesus. I shouldn't have sat down. Heh. You know, I was kinda worried you were gonna tell me to get lost for a while. I mean I WOULD have. If I needed to... But I'm glad you didn't ask me to leave just yet...
Aiden (to Nathaniel): I wouldn't do that, Nate. I enjoy you being around... What is it Victor is always saying? Ah yes, honest & for true.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): ...What? Pffft! Ha ha ha! Oh shit! I never thought I'd hear you quote Bugs fuckin' Bunny. Heh. I know I got you on the hook, heh, 'specially with the marriage proposal an' all, but I'd couldn't live with myself if... Shit. Heh. Talk about fuckin' deja vu...
Aiden (to Nathaniel): ... Have we had this conversation before?
Nathaniel (to Aiden): ... No, not this one. More like a couple of arguments. I didn't want you getting murdered cuz of me. Or... Jail? Something... Who the fuck else got murdered? Heh. Never mind! It's something from another time. I can't quite remember it.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Heh. Sometimes, I forget that you're absolutely bloody insane & then you say that sort of thing... It's a very good thing I find you so damn attractive. :-P
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Ha ha! Yeah, I'm fucking batshit. It's a *damn* good thing you think that's hot. Fuckin' weirdo. C'mere for a second before it gets crowded in here...
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Heh... It would be my distinct pleasure.
Lily (to Aiden & Nathaniel): Ewwwww... (to Mrs. Esterly) Mrs. Esterly! They're kissing again!
Mrs. Esterly (to Lily): Yes, dear. That is what people do in their home when they love one another. Didn't I tell you to wait? (to Aiden & Nathaniel) As you were, lads! We're coming in with supper and you're eating it. No ifs, ands, or buts.
Lily (to Mrs. Esterly): Yes. But, I wanted to say hello. I missed them.
Nathaniel (to Lily): Heh. It's alright. We missed you too, Lil' Bit.
Mrs. Esterly (to Lily): It's not polite to interrupt. Saying hello could have waited one more moment. Alright get in there with you! Go on!
Lily (to Mrs. Esterly): I'm sorry. I forgot. (to Aiden & Nathaniel) I missed you both terribly!
Aiden (to Mrs. Esterly): Heh. Yes, ma'am. (to Lily) Come here and give us a hug, Lily. I missed you, too.
Mrs. Esterly (to Aiden & Nathaniel): She's been eager to see you. Here we are. Nathaniel Jones, if you don't eat, so help me..
Aiden (to Mrs. Esterly): Heh. So, I see. (to Lily) Have you grown since I last saw you, Lily?
Lily (to Aiden & Nathaniel): You're not going anywhere again, are you? ... Mrs. Esterly says I'm growing like a weed.
Nathaniel (to Mrs. Esterly): I'm eating! After watching you bunch take out Starling the other night, I ain't got the guts to say no to you, Mrs. E. ;-p (to Lily) Oh. Uh... We might. The crazy ol' fu-- uh, coot that sent that automaton the other night... An' she knows I live here, so it might not be safe. Your dad an' I were thinking... We might go to the place in the Colonies we lived before... Do you wanna come?
Mrs. Esterly (to Nathaniel): Oh, hee hee! You unrepentant liar! (to Aiden, Lily & Nathaniel) I'm going to fetch a bottle of something to stave off the chill.
Lily (to Nathaniel & Aiden): CAN-- I mean, can I, please?
Aiden (to Lily & Nathaniel): Heh. We wouldn't have asked otherwise... But, we will need to set some ground rules, first. It's a bit… different. So, if you can't stick to the rules, you're going to need to stay here with Mrs. Esterly. Will you comply?
Nathaniel (to Lily & Aiden): It's a lot different. You don't have to come if you don't want. It won't make us disappointed in you, an' it won't mean we don't love you, alright? We'll come to visit all the time.
Lily (to Nathaniel & Aiden): ... I'd like to go with you. I'll follow the rules. Please, don't leave me, again.
Nathaniel (to Lily & Aiden): Alright. That's decided then. You wanna help me finish my dinner? Mrs. Esterly is gonna smack me if I don't.
Lily (to Nathaniel): Heehee. Okay.
A short time later:
Mrs. Esterly (to Lily, Aiden & Nathaniel): Here we are a nice bottle of... Did you eat everything on your plate, Nathaniel?
Nathaniel (to Mrs. Esterly): Did I? Damn. Guess I was hungrier than I thought.
Lily: … Heehee.
Aiden (to Lily): Hush you. (to Mrs. Esterly, Lily & Nathaniel) Thank you very much for a lovely dinner. I think I'm going to retire to the library & read.
Lily (to Aiden): Can I come with you, daddy? We can start a new book for our book club.
Aiden (to Lily): Of course.
Mrs. Esterly (to Aiden & Lily): Of course, dear. Enjoy yourselves. (to Nathaniel) And YOU, Mr. Jones, are going to have a bit more to eat.
Nathaniel (to Mrs. Esterly): What!?! Why?
Mrs. Esterly (to Nathaniel): Because you let Lilian eat the lion's share of your supper. Don't bother denying it. She didn't even ask me for a biscuit before bed. After you finish, let me take a look at your arm. You're favoring it a bit more than I'd like. Have you been keeping it clean? Hee hee. I swear, you lads... You just cannot br trusted to look after yourselves.
Nathaniel (to Mrs. Esterly):Heh heh. Probably not.
At Casino de la Renard; Nice, French Republic:
Liesel (to Ji Yong): I hope I'm not interrupting anything, Mister Park. Our former employers would like to have a word with you. I believe they have a business proposition for you.
Ariadne (to Ji Yong & Liesel): … Kto eta shlyukha?
Liesel (to Ariadne & Ji Yong): I'm not a whore, Miss. That's just my cover. I'm Mister Park's former assistant. Now, if you don't mind, we do have something important to discuss. I'm sure you can find someone else to entertain.
Ariadne (to Liesel): … You have no idea who you are talking to. I am so going to snatch you bald-headed.
Liesel (to Ariadne & Ji Yong): I honestly have no idea what you just said.
Ji Yong (to Liesel): ... I'm not sure what she said either. Heh. I rarely do. Hari, this is Ms Rotmensen. Ms Rotmensen, this is my wife. I'm retired, Ms Rotmensen. As I believe my former employer is well aware.
Liesel (to Ji Yong): Wife!?! Really? Well, that is most unexpected… We are all well aware of your retired status. However, something has come up that requires your urgent attention… You have been named the successor, Mister Park.
Ji Yong (to Liesel): Qu'est-ce que tu racontes? I was never in line for succession. I have no patience for politics, and aside from a few some very minor jobs, I have not worked for your employer in many years.
Ariadne (to Ji Yong): Successor? Successor of what? What is she talking about? (to Liesel) Wait a minute. Rotmensen? You're the girl that was in Victor's room.
Liesel (to Ariadne): Yes, yes. I was using the opportunity to find Mister Park. However, you weren't about… If I can't play an idiot girl against some former ISS goons than I'd be very bad at my job, Missus Park.(to Ji Yong) You misunderstand me, Mister Park. You were named to take over Bleak House in the Last Will & Testament of the Cormorant. And since he was the Chairman of the Board of Directors. Here I am.
Ji Yong (to Liesel): Mère de Dieu...This is ridiculous! I have no intention of sitting on the Board.
Liesel (to Ji Yong): So, your answer is no? Alright, I shall go and inform the second choice... Yuri.
Ji Yong (to Liesel): What? Yuri is the next in line? ...What was the Cormorant thinking? The man is an insane sociopath.
Liesel (to Ji Yong): I believe he was hoping it would change your mind.
Ariadne (to Ji Yong): I think I'm going to go check on... things.
Ji Yong (to Ariadne): Of course. I apologize for keeping you. I will join you and... I will be with you shortly.
Ariadne (to Ji Yong): I'll see you soon.
Liesel (to Ji Yong): She seems very lovely.
Ji Yong (to Liesel): Yes... Why are you here, Ms Rothmensen? You know very well why I left the bleak house.
Liesel (to Ji Yong): ... Because, you got a better offer working for Rodchenko?
Ji Yong (to Liesel): ... In a manner of speaking. You didn't answer my question.
Liesel (to Ji Yong): To be honest, I wanted the opportunity to see you again. I missed you. You were the best boss I ever had… And, I heard about Xiao Wei. Good riddance.
Ji Yong (to Liesel): ...Yes. If I was named in the Cormorant's will, it would explain her sudden renewed interest in me. I did wonder.
Liesel (to Ji Yong): Well, there you are...
Ji Yong (to Liesel): How may I help you, Ms Rotmensen? I have no desire to return to the Bleak House, but I don't wish to hand that kind of power to a power mad maniac...
Liesel (to Ji Yong): I don't know. I'm in Nice for two more days & then I must return to the board with your response. I'll leave you to think on it. I'm sure you want to get back to your lovely wife.
Ji Yong (to Liesel): ...I will have a response for you before you leave.
Liesel (to Ji Yong): Bon soir, Mister Park.
A little while later, in Ji Yong's suite:
Ji Yong (to Ariadne): Hari? ...Shhhhh. Shhh. I'm sorry to have disturbed you. Go back to sleep. I will put the twins to bed. Je t'aime.
