At Longfellow Inn; New London, Britannia:
Mrs. Esterly (to Charles): Hello Charles. Do you have our order ready? ... Are you alright, dear?
Charles (to Mrs. Esterly): Oh. Yes, Mrs. Esterly. I have it here. I apologize for my demeanor. I'm quite well...
Mrs. Esterly (to Charles): Hee hee hee. Oh, Mr. Turner. You are a terrible liar. It's quite endearing.
Charles (to Mrs. Esterly): I'm sorry, ma'am. It's... Some of the girls who work in the front were teasing me. I'm a bit embarrassed.
Mrs. Esterly (to Charles): Oh? Hee hee. I'm sure that's because they find you attractive, dear. Oooo! Thank you. This order looks delicious. Oh? Hee hee. I'm sure that's because they find you attractive, dear. Oooo! Thank you. This order looks delicious.
Charles (to Mrs. Esterly): I can't imagine why... Excuse me. I hope you enjoy your order.
Mrs. Esterly (to Charles): Oh Mr. Turner! I know you're not a fool. Surely you've noticed what a fine young man into which you've grown. I know the Inn has mirrors. Persephone was raised here, dear.
Charles (to Mrs. Esterly): It does. It's just that... I... I'm afraid I'm beginning to look like my father.
Mrs. Esterly (to Charles): Charles, sweetheart, you are your own person, and a very kind young man... No matter who you may resemble.
Charles (to Mrs. Esterly): ...Thank you, ma'am. I appreciate you saying that.
Mrs. Esterly (to Charles): Not at all, Mr. Turner. Good evening.
At Aiden's house; New London, Britannia:
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Nate? You don't normally hideout in the Library. What's wrong? Are you alright?
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Heh heh. What? I start having an interest in the library, and you start panicking?
Aiden (to Nathaniel): … I AM not panicking. If you don't want to tell me. Fine. I'll leave you to whatever you're looking for. I promised I'd take Lily to the park.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Jesus H. Christ! I was just teasing you. Calm the fuck... Sorry. I'm testy. Your brother sent me this goddamn letter and wrote it in a cipher. I'm not sure if he did it cuz he needed to, or just to be a dick. I'm about half way through it. He's using a running key cipher across like THREE fucking books, and I'm still missing part of it...
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Did you use 'The Theory of Moral Sentiments' by Adam Smith as one of the books? It's a favorite of Roland's.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Seriously? I suppose I shouldn't be surprised. I'll try that one next... I'm sorry I snapped at you.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): It's alright. Would you like some assistance? I'm quite used to Roland's little codes.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Yeah. I'm gonna need it. Heh. I think I'm kinda outta my depth here.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Go grab the family bible off the shelf behind you, Nate. It should help... It's not an ordinary book. ;-p
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Heh heh. Not the first time someone has said I need the Good Book to help me. :-P Jesus! This thing weighs a ton. What the fuck is in here?
Aiden (to Nathaniel): It has all the ciphers I made breaking Roland's bloody codes. He's not one on originality. I'm sure he's used this 1 before. You know, next time you might want to ask the person who used to work with Roland rather than plodding along like an Edison. Just a thought. ;-)
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Plodding along like an Edison?
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Yes.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): I have no idea what exactly that means, but I'm sure it's no complimentary... I know I should've come to you for help, but... But read that first fucking line. Goddamn asshole...
A couple hours later:
Lily (to Aiden & Nathaniel): Daddy #1 & #2, Mrs. Esterly says to kindly get yourselves into dinner as you've been in here for days.
Aiden (to Lily): Thank you, Lily, for the invitation but we're a little busy working on something. We'll get it later.
Lily (to Aiden & Nathaniel): … Fine. But, if Mrs. Esterly gets upset, you have only yourselves to blame.
Aiden (to Lily): I know. I'm willing to take that risk, sweetheart. Trust me, this is important.
Nathaniel (to Lily & Aiden): Heh. We've been warned. Gimme a hug, Lil' Bit.
Lily (to Nathaniel): Heehee. Of course, daddy.
A few minutes later, in the kitchen:
Lily (to Mrs. Esterly): Mrs. Esterly, they said they'd get dinner later.
Mrs. Esterly (to Lily): They did, did they? I've heard that nonsense before. Never you mind, sweetie. You and I will have a nice supper without them. I will bring them both a plate later, and Lord help them both, they WILL eat.
Lily (to Mrs. Esterly): Heehee. They don't know what they're missing, Nan-- Mrs. Esterly. This looks very tasty.
Mrs. Esterly (to Lily): Thank you. Lilian, did you almost call me Nanny, dear?
Lily (to Mrs. Esterly): … No… I almost called you Nana. I'm sorry.
Mrs. Esterly (to Lily): You don't need to apologize... It might be a bit brash of me to say so, but I would love it if you called me Nana. Hee hee. I did just about raise your father, after all.
Lily (to Mrs. Esterly): Heehee. I would love it and you, if you were my Nana. Hugs!
Mrs. Esterly (to Lily): I love you like you were my own as well. Are you finished already? Hee hee. Would you like a slice of sponge cake? Or would you like seconds?
Lily (to Mrs. Esterly): Seconds, please… And then, can I have cake?
Mrs. Esterly (to Lily): Hee hee. Of course! You need plenty of food to fuel all that growing you're doing.
An hour or so later, in the library:
Nathaniel (to Aiden): When we get this shit figured out, I swear to fucking god, I'm gonna take this cipher and shove it up Roland's goddamn ass!
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Calm down, handsome. I think I've got it. It's in French, English & Latin as well as the book cipher… Here, read it.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Sorry. That crack in the beginning about, "Dear Aide, I assume your *friend* was unable to crack this code..." annoyed me.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Yes, I think we all know what an ass my brother is. What does it say? I think I made myself a bit cross-eyed working on it.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Wait. Is this... I don't understand. Is Roland WARNING me that CLANNG agents have been tapping the ISS to get info on me?
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Why would CLANNG want to know about you? You didn't work for them this time around.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): I have no fucking idea. Maladori, maybe? She sent Starling to grab me, and knew to look here... Not that it matters. ISS shouldn't have any info on me either, right? ...Wait. You don't think Roland started a fucking file on me, do you?
Aiden (to Nathaniel): I honestly would not be surprised. But, he wouldn't be able to find anything about you since you're not from here. And, I believe your aunt once told me that you wouldn't have a double on this side which is why you're able to be here for long stretches of a time without the use of that stabilizing device. So, what would he learn of interest to either organization?
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Heh. Yeah. The way I understand it, cuz we can do what we do, skippers aren't really from one place or another, so we don't have doubles. Heh. I can't imagine what kinda info he could have on me.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): … Should we find out?
Nathaniel (to Aiden): ... Oh? What are you suggesting we do?
Aiden (to Nathaniel): We ask someone to go and find out what they have on you. A few people spring to mind.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Oh. Right. Heh... Yeah. That makes sense.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): What did you think I meant?
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Nothin'. I, uh, I thought for a second you were gonna break into ISS yourself or something. Heh. Sorry. You're, uh... It's kinda hot when you go all James Bond. :-p
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Heh. Would you prefer that I did it? … It's not beyond my skill set. Though, I am a bit rusty. I could wear a tuxedo, if you like. ;-)
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Heh heh... Mmm. That's pretty fucking tempting. You could do that. Or you could just wear the tux for me. :-p
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Heh. Any time you like, handsome… C'mere for a second.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): With fuckin' pleasure… I'm gonna have to go back to West Piedmont sooner than later, aren't I?
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Possibly... I'm trying my best to keep you here. Our only other option is to head back to Nice with everyone in tow again… Well, there is another option. We could stay aboard your cousin's ship. Which would you prefer?
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Shit... I don't know. I guess it doesn't matter, since I can skip and all. Mostly I just wanna make sure y'all are safe.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): That's very noble of you but I can assure you that we want you to be safe as well.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): I know you do... Heh. I know which option Lily would like, though it might be a bit crowded on Victor's ship.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Oh? You think she'd prefer the airship? ... Why are you grinning like that? What aren't you telling me?
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Heh. Nothin' you don't already know. She's got a big ol' fucking crush on Charles as well as Victor now. She saw him dropping off that letter the other night. I'm wondering who she picked that trait up from. ;-p
Aiden (to Nathaniel): ... As I'm normally the one in the suit, Nate. It's probably a trait she inherited from her mother. And, Charles is a far better choice than your cousin. He's well-mannered & level-headed. Not to mention the fact that he seems to have no idea what to do with a girl.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Pffft! Oh! Oh shit! Ha ha ha! This is how it fuckin' starts, isn't it? I almost feel sorry for whoever Lily brings home...
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Heh. I hope she never dates.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): No shit. You Wilkes have a habit of making out with random guys in alleys, and I was kinda, um, cavalier in another life. :-p I'm just kidding. Don't worry about it, alright? She's got a good group of people looking after her. She's gonna be fine.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Best decision of my life.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Heh. And not punching you is the best decision I've ever made... I fucking love you.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): I know... C'mere. I love you, too... Now, let's go to bed & lock the door. ;-)
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Seriously. I'll bet Mrs. Esterly is gonna bust in any second and... Holy fuck! Heh. You fucking love picking me up don't you?
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Yes. It's one of my favorite things... Well, it's in my top twenty... Maybe, fifty.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Heh. Yeah? I can take a guess, or fifty, about a thing you might like more...
