At Aiden's house; New London, Britannia:
Charles: Oh. Hullo, Mr. Cat. Visiting me again? Wait... oof! Wait one moment for me and I'll open the window. Heh. It's very nice to see you. I'm afraid it's a bit lonely and very dull laying in bed all day. Mr. Cat! Don't lick that! I have a... I have stitches there apparently.
Persephone (to Charles): Heehee. I see Buster has found you. Don't mind him, he's just a big softie. If he starts talking to you, that's normal. ;-)
Charles (to Persephone): Ms. Persephone! I-- I didn't hear you enter. I was just... um... I was talking to Mr. Cat. Or Buster, rather.
Persephone (to Charles): It's alright, Charles. I brought you some breakfast & a couple books. I thought you could use the distraction. George will be by later today to see you. She sends her condolences for not coming by sooner. She's been busy with errands. And, Buster is a good companion when you're stuck in bed. I'm glad he found you. I thought he might. He's a very special cat.
Charles (to Persephone): Um... Heh. He is at that. He showed up one night when I was having trouble sleeping. I've been grateful for his company. Thank you for bringing me breakfast. I'm very sorry for the inconvenience.
Persephone (to Charles): Oh hush. You would do the same for me if roles were reversed, Charles. Stop fretting over us taking care of you. You're part of the family, whether you like it or not. :-P
Charles (to Persephone): I didn't mean to imply that I... Oh. You were teasing me. Heh. I should have guessed that.
Persephone (to Charles): Heehee... I'm sorry, I shouldn't tease you when you're recuperating. Would you like me to bring you some more food? You practically wolfed that all down.
Charles (to Persephone): ... Excuse me. I'm used to eating in small bursts all day. You know how it is at the inn. Um... May I ask you a question?
Persephone (to Charles): Of course, Charles. I don't have any secrets. Heh. I wouldn't know how to keep them if I did. ;-)
Charles (to Persephone): Heh. That's not true in the slightest, Miss Persephone. It's, um, these stitches. Did... Did Mrs. Esterly... I mean, I used to have a, um, tattoo there...
Persephone (to Charles): You had a tattoo? Heh. I didn't think you had that sort of thing in you, Charles... I'm not quite sure what happened to it. Was it important to you?
Charles (to Persephone): Good heavens! Certainly not! ... It was from my time in The Smith gang. We all had them... Honestly, I'm rather glad to be rid of it. Why on earth did that professor woman remove my... Oh. T-- that is disgusting.
Persephone (to Charles): ... What is it, Charles?
Charles (to Persephone): I think she may have sent it to Achilles... She wanted to verify I was who I was claiming to be.
Persephone (to Charles): Grunt... Though, that does sound about right. Can I ask you a strange, slightly delicate question, Charles?
Charles (to Persephone): Of course, Miss Persephone.
Persephone (to Charles): You haven't been feeling different at all, have you? It's just, you mentioned that Maladori injected you with something & the last person she did that to, was Zoe and well, she changed quite a bit. And, if she was prepping you for Carver... It might be a possibility. So, do you? You can tell me if you do.
Charles (to Persephone): Oh! That's not what I was expecting you to ask... I, um, I've been very sore, and a bit on the hungry side. I'm so sorry! I know I've been eating more than is proper lately...
Persephone (to Charles): Being hungry isn't what I meant, sweetie. You're a growing boy, after all... I meant, well, weird thoughts or knowledge you didn't have before. If you don't, then I'm just being overly paranoid & I apologize.
Charles (to Persephone): No. I don't think so. Not that I've noticed... I don't suppose I would, though, would I? How would one notice new information in one's own brain, I wonder? Wouldn't one just assume... Oh. Heh. Excuse me.
Persephone (to Charles): I honestly have no idea. You certainly seem like yourself other than the stitches & cast... That's a relief.
Charles (to Persephone): I think whatever her injection, its purpose was to extract information from me And to keep me from screaming, I suppose.
Persephone (to Charles): ... That sounds positively grunt. I'm glad Zoe & Ms. McGillivray got you out of there when they did. Oh! I should really get to work. I've got shopping to do. If you need anything, just ring the bell. Joseph or Mrs. Esterly will come running.
Charles (to Persephone): It was such lovely screaming... HAHAHA! Oh! Good heavens... I'm sorry, Miss Persephone... That wasn't funny.
Persephone (to Charles): ... That was terrifying, Charles. Don't make those kind of jokes. I was about to run & get someone.
Charles (to Persephone): I really am sorry, Miss Persephone. You looked upset. I was just trying to be funny. George says I shouldn't really bother. I think perhaps she's right.
Persephone (to Charles): ... Yes, perhaps that would be best, Charles. I'll be by later in the evening to check on you. Enjoy the books.
Charles (to Persephone): Y--yes, miss. I'm sorry again.
A short time later, in the kitchen:
Persephone (to Mrs. Esterly): Mrs. Esterly? I did what you asked... I can't be sure but I don't think he's alone in there.
Mrs. Esterly (to Persephone): I was afraid of that. You should have heard him curse when I reset his leg... The poor little lad. Though, I don't suppose he's so little now, is he?
Persephone (to Mrs. Esterly): Heh. No, he's quite grown in so many ways but still very much a child in others... What are we going to do about him?
Mrs. Esterly (to Persephone): We'll continue to watch him for now. If we think for sure someone else is in there with him... We'll deal with that when we need to. Don't worry, dear.
An hour or so later:
George (to Charles): Hello, Charles? Are you awake?
Charles (to George): Hello, George! I was just sitting up reading.
George (to Charles): Oh good, so I'm not interrupting anything too terribly important. How are you feeling?
Charles (to George): I'm a bit bored of being in bed. I suppose I'm alright.
George (to Charles): Hmmm... Let's see about getting you out of this room. Here, use this for a cane & let's go for a teeny, tiny stroll.
Charles (to George): ...I, um, I don't think Miss Persephone or Mrs. Esterly will like that.
George (to Charles): Well, we won't tell them now, will we? We'll stay up here.
Charles (to George): Heh. I would like that. Let me just... Oh! I forgot. I, um, I'm very sorry for my current state... I'm not very presentable.
George (to Charles): Heh. Calm down. We're not going anywhere, Charles. Besides, you saw me in a similar state not too long ago…I'm glad you're okay. When Miss Persephone came and told me what had happened to you... I was very concerned.
Charles (to George): ...Well, yes. That may be, but it's hardly proper! ... I'm sorry to have worried you... I think Miss Persephone and Mrs. Esterly are concerned that woman... um, did something to me.
George (to Charles): Oh? I certainly hope not. I like you just the way you are, Charles.
Charles (to George): Oh... Um, thank you. Heh.
George (to Charles): Sheesh. You're so tall... It's very hard to give you a kiss when you're standing like that. C'mere you.
Charles (to George): Heh... That was nice. Thank you.
A couple hours later, at Casino de la Renard; Nice, French Republic:
Lily (to Zoe): Auntie Zoe! Wake up.
Zoe (to Lily): Shhhhh! I haven't gotten nearly enough sleep… Lily? What are you doing in my room?
Lily (to Zoe): Heehee. You sound just like your mother, Auntie Zoe.
Zoe (to Lily): And, why haven't you brought me coffee or something to bribe me with? … Wait. Did you just call me Auntie? Are we in Bizarro world?
Lily (to Zoe): I just thought it sounded nice… Here. I brought you some hot chocolate. Is that suitable bribery?
Zoe (to Lily): … I suppose it will have to do. Now, what's got you in such a state?
Lily (to Zoe): I'm bored. Daddy 1 & 2 are working in the casino. Everyone else is busy… So here I am.
Zoe (to Lily): Heh. Lucky me… Well, it looks like Felix is off somewhere again so I guess I'm free. Give me a chance to get cleaned up & then, we can go see about entertaining you, okay?
Lily (to Zoe): Thank you so much! I'll behave, I promise.
Zoe (to Lily): I know you will. Let me go take a shower.
At Aiden's house; New London, Britannia:
Mrs. Esterly (to Charles): You had better be I'm bed, young man. Don't think I don't know all about you and George stopping all about up here.
Charles (to Mrs. Esterly): Quit your bloody harping! ...Oh my good heavens. I... I am so, SO sorry, Mrs. Esterly! I... I-- I don't know why I said that.
Mrs. Esterly (to Charles): It's quite all right, dear. I'm sure you're just tired.
Charles (to Mrs. Esterly): I... I don't know what to say... I'm not that tired, ma'am. I don't know that I could be. There's, um, there's something wrong with me, isn't there?
Mrs. Esterly (to Charles): Nothing that can't be fixed. Get some rest, sweetie. This problem will keep until tomorrow, I promise. Drink this & relax.
Charles (to Mrs. Esterly): I shouldn't imagine that I'll be able to get any... <yawn> Why am I so... Mrs. Esterly! Did you drug that...
Mrs. Esterly (to Charles): Sleep tight, Charles.
A couple hours later, at Casino de la Renard; Nice, French Republic:
Zoe: That girl is going to be the death of me… Heh. I sound like an old woman… I wonder where the hell Felix keeps running off to? If he's not careful, I'm just going to have to find myself a new beau. ;-P
Felix (to Zoe): Hello, pretty lady. Did you finally wear out your sidekick?
Zoe (to Felix): Yeah. I tucked her into bed a little while ago… What have you been up to these last few days? I barely see you, anymore.
Felix (to Zoe): Don't I know it? The Captain isn't the only crew member who's been pressed into work lately. I've been behind the bar. Oof! I smell like a brewery.
Zoe (to Felix): I like the way you smell… Wait. I take it back. You DO smell like a brewery.
Felix (to Zoe): Heh. I warned you. Ha ha! No, no, no! You're not going anywhere now... Let me make you smell like a brewery as well.
Zoe (to Felix): AAAHHH! Get away, you great stinky man!
Felix (to Zoe): Heh. Sorry, once I get my arms around you, I can't say I'm inclined to let you go... Ouch! Don't you pinch me, woman!
Zoe (to Felix): Heehee... I'm sorry but you need a bath before I let you touch me... I DO have standards, you know? ;-p
Felix (to Zoe): Oh? Do you? Well, suppose I should strip down so I can get cleaned up, shouldn't I? ...What were you saying about standards?
Zoe (to Felix): Huh? ... Was I saying something? Hush and stand still for second... You are damn sexy.
Felix (to Zoe): Heh heh heh... I believe I was proving that you have no standards when it comes to sexy shirtless men. :-p
Zoe (to Felix): I have loads of standards when it comes to shirtless men... Just not when it's you.
Felix (to Zoe): Good. Come help me scrub up, then. I wouldn't want to offend your delicate nose.
Zoe (to Felix): Heh. I suppose, if I must, sexy man... It's quite a burden, though. :-p
Felix (to Zoe): I'm sure you'll survive.
Zoe (to Felix): Here. I'll take my clothes off too. You know, just so it's fair... Heh.
Felix (to Zoe): You should. You know how I like being fair.
