At Bleak House; secret location:
Ji Yong (to Veronique): Thank you for agreeing to meet with me, Miss Du Mal. May I get you a cup of tea?
Veronique (to Ji Yong): It's fine. I postponed my mani/pedi for later in the afternoon... Tea would be lovely.
Ji Yong (to Veronique): ...Yes. I wanted to discuss the position of Chairman with you. I trust through the quantity of assassination attempts I've survived that I could continue to stay in power if I so chose. Before you get the wrong impression, I have no intention to do so.
Veronique (to Ji Yong): Oh? ... I'm listening.
Ji Yong (to Veronique): Considering at least two of those attempts were yours, I thought you would be interested. After watching you manipulate the Board behind the scenes, I don't believe you will have trouble running the House. I can name you my successor, step down, and do what I can to ensure those factions happy with my appointment will accept you as my replacement.
Veronique (to Ji Yong): ... And, pray tell what exactly do you want in return for this very generous offer?
Ji Yong (to Veronique): Yuri is to stay off the Board, and that this will be my last involvement with the Bleak House. As long as you are in control, no one from the Organization will seek help from myself, or from my people, and you will honor my discharge. Yuri will likely stage a coup d'état when I step down. I will not become involved.
Veronique (to Ji Yong): This seems amenable to me, Mister Park. And, would you like to take Miss Rotmensen with you? She is your assistant after all.
Ji Yong (to Veronique): ...That would be up to her, Miss. She hasn't been my assistant in many years. I'm sure she has other concerns to consider.
Veronique (to Ji Yong): I'm sure she'll be fine, then.
Ji Yong (to Veronique): As you say. Thank you for your time. I'll be contacting you with the details about my departure... And speak to Ms Rotmensen.
A little while later:
Yukiko (to Ji Yong): So, how did the meeting go? Did she agree to your offer? I certainly hope she did because I am five minutes away from putting a corkscrew in Yuri's eye.
Ji Yong (to Yukiko): ...Yes. He has that effect. Soon enough, he won't be our problem any longer. Ms. Du Mal found my demands amenable.
Yukiko (to Ji Yong): Thank God! How soon can we go home?
Ji Yong (to Yukiko): Tomorrow. I'll make the arrangements tonight. Thank you for your help in this matter, Ms Sato. I believe I am now in your debt.
Yukiko (to Ji Yong): Heh. I'll remember that. ;-)
Ji Yong (to Yukiko): I'm sure you will... Quel crétin est responsable de cela? Tsk. Sloppy.
Yukiko (to Ji Yong): I'm guessing the fat man with the cat. Seems his sort of thing. I'll get one of the servants to bring up some bleach.
Ji Yong (to Yukiko): What do these people expect to accomplish with such theatrics? If he wishes to kill me, he should just attempt to do so. The only thing this display does is cause more work for the staff members of the House.
Yukiko (to Ji Yong): … I will be so happy to get out of this kuso ana. These people are crazy.
Ji Yong (to Yukiko): Yes. I had forgotten how insular and strange we tend to be when grouped together.
A couple hours later, at Casino de la Renard; Nice, French Republic:
Zoe (to Ariadne): Hari, would you please relax? The babies are sleeping like normal for the 1st time in 2 days…I'm exhausted.
Ariadne (to Zoe): I know. I'm sorry, Zoe, I think the lack of sleep is making me crazy… I never envisioned myself being a single mother. The longer Ji Yong is gone, the more I keep worrying he's never going to come back.
Zoe (to Ariadne): Of course he'll be back. He's got Yuki with him and besides, Gee says he was really miserable about leaving you guys behind & you've got all of us to help out until he does. Now, go relax in the tub & get some sleep. I'll keep an ear out for the babies.
Ariadne (to Zoe): Thank you, Zoe. I don't know what I would have done without you. You're a good friend.
Zoe (to Ariadne): Heh. Yeah, I know. ;-P
A little while later:
Victor (to Zoe): Pssst. Hey little big sister. Is Hari about?
Zoe (to Victor): She's off taking a bath & then to bed. The twins have finally gone to sleep after staying up for 2 days… What's up?
Victor (to Zoe): Two days? Hell! Oh... Sorry. Heh. Quiet. I've heard a rumor that she might be keen on.
Zoe (to Victor): I hope it has something to do with her mister coming home because I would really like to quit baby-duty.
Victor (to Zoe): Looks like Yuki and Mr. Park are going to try to wrap things us and make their way back here in the next few days. And then you will be off baby duty, and Cousin Nate can stop acting like Dad, the younger.
Zoe (to Victor): Heh. Don't get me wrong, I haven't minded helping with the babies most of the time but the insomnia is getting to me, not to mention the fact that I hadn't really recuperated from helping Charles in New London… It's been a busy week.
Victor (to Zoe): Heh. I ain't judging. Better you than me. Any word on how Mr. Turner is doing?
Zoe (to Victor): He's on forced bed rest for the next few days. Seph has been doting on him something' fierce. I think she feels a little guilty that she wasn't there to prevent them from getting nabbed. I told her it wasn't her fault but you know how she is.
Victor (to Zoe): That dolt! What would she have done? If she'd been there, the only change is Maladori would've had her locked up too.
Zoe (to Victor): She knows that. But, apparently, she feels protective of Charles… It also didn't help that Joseph was out of it for a couple days and babbled something about having made a big decision...
Victor (to Zoe): Oh? Oh! Heh heh. Well, well... No wonder she's ready to man the cannons.
Zoe (to Victor): … So, you know what he was babbling about? She's all worried that he's going to break up with her. I told her she's an idiot and shouldn't get so worked up about things people say when they're drugged.
Victor (to Zoe): Not in the slightest. At least not according to what he told Nate... How do I know this and you don't?
Zoe (to Victor): Probably, because Joseph and I have a different sort of friendship since… well, you know.
Victor (to Zoe): Oh... Yeah. Guess that made things a bit weird for the straights, huh? No, I meant Nate. I'm shocked he didn't tell you. Or so you not harass him first thing in the morning? :-p
Zoe (to Victor): Huh… I guess I just didn't think to ask him.
Victor (to Zoe): Clearly. Heh heh! Cousin Nate and I have a very "special" relationship.
Zoe (to Victor): Heh... Is that what we're calling it now?
Victor (to Zoe): Yes. Because it annoys him.
Zoe (to Victor): You are a lovable smartass and I bet he just hates it. :-p
Victor (to Zoe): Ha ha ha! Yeah he does. ...We didn't get along in the other time, did we?
Zoe (to Victor): You could say that.
Victor (to Zoe): Heh. I remember. Sort of. Heh. He keeps trying to figure out what my angle is every time I try and be friendly.
Zoe (to Victor): So, you're trying the smother him with love & attention approach? It's a bold move. I generally just like to watch his eyes glaze over when I'm talking at him... It brings me joy. :-p
Victor (to Zoe): Ha ha ha! Is pissing him off a family trait? Even Luc does it. :-p
Zoe (to Victor): Heh. If he didn't take everything so seriously & have a big stick up his ass, we probably wouldn't do it. And, it's funny because I remember him not being like that.
Victor (to Zoe): Lemme guess. He was a whiner. :-p
