At Aiden's house; New London, Britannia:
Persephone (to Charles): Wakey, wakey, Charles... Breakfast! I do believe I have brought you enough food to choke a horse.
Charles (to Persephone): Huh? Oh! ... Miss Persephone. Thank you. I... I must have been exhausted last night. I was fast asleep. Thank you.
Persephone (to Charles): Heehee... I don't blame you. It sounded like you had quite an eventful day according to Mrs. Esterly... So, you're going 'round with George, huh? That's Moo if you ask me. She's certainly something. Though, I wish she'd wear more dresses. She's too pretty to be hiding in those suits all the ruddy time... Don't you agree? ;-P
Charles (to Persephone): Oh! She, um, she told you that? Heh. She is very pretty... N-- not that I mind what she wears, of course! I know she doesn't much care for dresses. So what do you wanna know, huh? You're trying to get Charles relaxed. What for?
Persephone (to Charles): ... I don't always have a reason, Charlie. Though, I am curious to know what you have decided to do when you're mobile?
Charles (to Persephone): Please ignore him, um, me when I speak like that, miss. "Charlie" is pouting. I, um, I'm not sure what to do with myself. I certainly can't impose on you and Mrs. Esterly for much longer. I was thinking of accepting Ms. Zoe's offer. If she and Captain Potter could use the help, that is.
Persephone (to Charles): Fiddlesticks, Charles, you're not imposing on us. But, it would probably best to get you out of New London for a bit. That terrible professor might be interested in finding you. And, I'm SURE Victor could use the help. He's practically useless aboard that ship, having to relearn everything. He's more than likely driving everyone insane.
Charles (to Persephone): I would much rather be useful than not, miss. You're gonna get us conscripted, you over-trusting, brainless twat. I am not. You already know that isn't true, so be quiet. I'm sorry, Miss. I-- it must be rather disturbing when I do that.
Persephone (to Charles): Heehee. It's not as disturbing as you think, Charles. I have brothers, after all. It's a bit like listening to them bicker at each other. Though, it's interesting to watch how your face changes ever so slightly when Charlie's talking. Heehee. I feel sorry for George... Or maybe, I don't. Who hasn't wanted two boyfriends? ;-P
Charles (to Persephone): Oh! B-- but there aren't two of us. Not really... I can understand why it seems that way, but I suspect thinking that way will reinforce the psychological rift... God's BALLS, Charles. She was making a damn joke.
Persephone (to Charles): Heehee... So, you think Charlie being here is only temporary, Charles? I'm not sure he would agree. Don't look at me like that. I may play at being a mindless twit, but I AM actually quite smart. I just find it easier to just be pretty. It makes people more likely to say things in front of me that they wouldn't if they thought I could understand. :-P
Charles (to Persephone): Ha ha ha! I can see why he fancied you so much. Got a thing for pretty, smart, kinda bossy women, doncha Charles? Good heavens. Honestly,who doesn't? ... I'm sorry, Miss Persephone. That wasn't appropriate. I... I'm not sure if "Charlie" is temporary or not. It wasn't like this before, as if there were two brains in one skull. And I certainly didn't talk to myself. Of course we didn't! This sort of lunacy would have got our bloody throat slit.
Persephone (to Charles): Oh! ... I just had a terrible thought... How was it before, Charles?
Charles (to Persephone): ... Jesus, Charles. Like you should be worrying what they think about you at this point. Bit too late for that, ya know. It was like this, when our mum had taken ill and died, we learned a few hard truths 'bout how the world really worked, and 'bout what a single mum, with a man away, had to do to keep her and her boy housed and fed. There were arrangements made not that the landlord didn't offer. What was his name Charles? Smitts? At first it was just anger, a blind, screaming sort, anger at Mum for dying, at our so-called dad for not helping, at the world for being what it was. Charles used to get so the anger built up inside him, he'd black out. Then, later, when we were with the Smiths, he couldn't stomach doing what needed to be done to survive, so he started thinking of it almost as if it were someone else. Started living inside his head more often than not. Had all kinds of fantasies about Dad coming back and saving us. Read too much. Spoke too fancy. That's where you went odd, Charles! But he's right. We didn't talk to ourselves.
Persephone (to Charles): Oh my...
Charles (to Persephone): ...I'm sorry for misleading you, Miss Persephone. Button your yap, Charles. What is it you're thinking, gorgeous?
Persephone (to Charles): ... That it wasn't an accident that it was you the professor grabbed for Carver... They must have been watching you for some time and realized that you had this "two-sided" personality... I mean, I could be completely wrong & it was just random happenstance.
Charles (to Persephone): ...And you think that's why she injected me with something?
Persephone (to Charles): Yes... Though, the part where it gets foggy is why bother if she was planning on scooping you out & letting Carver move in?
Charles (to Persephone): I know. When the doctor told her goons to grab us for the "procedure," Charles nearly lost his shit. Charles blurted out that we're Achilles Smith's son, and that he wanted us back. Heh. Turns out it wasn't a bad idea. She probably wanted some part of us intact, either to get info out of us, or cuz she wanted control of the Smiths.
Persephone (to Charles): Heh. Fast thinking, Charles.
Charles (to Persephone): Oh. T-thank you. You, um, you don't seem surprised. ...Did Mrs. Esterly tell you?
Persephone (to Charles): No, but why should I be?
Charles (to Persephone): Oh... No. I suppose it shouldn't. Ha ha ha! She isn't insulting you, Chuckles.
Persephone (to Charles): Heh. Seriously, Charles. Have you met my extended family?
A few hours later, onboard the Wicked Sister:
Zoe: C'mon, you stupid ruddy thing, TURN! ... I fucking hate you, ship. (to Risu) Risu, get off my head.
Victor (to Zoe): <tsk, tsk> C'mere, Risu. Leave your mummy alone. Need a hand my littlest sister?
Zoe (to Victor): ... Yes... Yuki fixed the hot water to my room & forgot to open the release valve... How the hell did she close it? She's so teeny... Is she secretly She-Hulk or something?
Victor (to Zoe): Heh. Don't let her size fool you; she's tough as ruddy hell. Heh. Like Mum and Dad... You ever wonder how they do it? Mum and Dad, I mean. You know. Be... Be them? ...Oops! That's got it!
Zoe (to Victor): Thank the bloody gods! ... What are you going on about? Mum & Dad are just themselves... Merde. What happened?
Victor (to Zoe): Nothing. Nothing happened. Well, that's not entirely true... Wanna grab a pint with me?
Zoe (to Victor): ... You need to vent, huh? Okay, let's go get a pint. You're buying, though.
Victor (to Zoe): Not vent, precisely. Just... it's all a bit confusing.
Zoe (to Victor): ... Did Yuki kill somebody? HAHAHA... Geez, calm down, I was just kidding.
Victor (to Zoe): Funny you should say that... Find us a quiet corner, will you? I'll get our drinks.
Zoe (to Victor): Okay...
Victor (to Zoe): Here we are. Cheers!
Zoe (to Victor): Thanks... So, what's with the questions about the parentals & what-not?
Victor (to Zoe): ...One of the members of the Bleak house who put a hit on Mr. Park showed up at the Sister. Yuki warned Liesel if she saw her in Nice, she'd kill her. Seems Liesel was counting on it...
Zoe (to Victor): Oh? Did she have a grudge with Yuki?
Victor (to Zoe): Yeah. Seems that way. Liesel manufactured it, counting on Yuki or Mr. Park to kill her. She was dying. Inoperable tumor.
Zoe (to Victor): Shit.
Victor (to Zoe): By the time I found her, she'd already killed her. I moved... Got rid of her body last night.
Zoe (to Victor): Damn, big brother, no wonder you're upset. You should have gotten me. What? It's not like I haven't dealt with bodies before. Well, I haven't personally but I have plenty of memories of doing it.
Victor (to Zoe): It wasn't that. I mean, it's always awful when it's someone you've met. But, I've dealt with bodies before. People die in the Tombs as often as not, you know. ...Oh. Wait. Heh. Guess I've only got memories of doing it as well, huh? ... Heh. Or at least until last night. It wasn't the hit. I mean, it wasn't just that... I was OK with it, Zoe. I was so relieved she was all right, and so happy she wants to marry me... I hardly cared...What kind of bloke does that make me?
Zoe (to Victor): Human.
Victor (to Zoe): ... Well, that wasn't the response I was expecting.
Zoe (to Victor): What? I'm being honest. Or did you want me to lie to you & give you a long winded explanation about how you're not a bad person and your response was only natural, blah, blah, blah?
Victor (to Zoe): Heh. Well, I didn't expect you to say I was normal. The very idea!
Zoe (to Victor): Heh. Sorry, big brother, but you are the normalest of normal... Which is quite odd in this family, so buck up, little camper, there's hope for you yet... And, if you really want to know how mum & dad deal with this shit, go ask em. I'm sure they'd be more than happy to tell you in graphic detail... And, I'll stay back here and start saving for the therapy bills. :-p
Victor (to Zoe): Honestly, you know what really worries me? I'm not bad right this moment, but how do I keep from becoming a monster? How do both of us avoid it? ... Heh. Ignore me. I'm most likely drunk.
Zoe (to Victor): Heh. We watch each other's back, big brother.
Victor (to Zoe): Damn straight we do! ...Heh heh. I can't tell if I'm being overly sensitive or not sensitive enough. :-p
Zoe (to Victor): A little of both, probably... So, she finally agreed to marry you, huh? Heh. How relieved were you when she told you?
Victor (to Zoe): Relieved enough that I forgot all about the dead Dutch assassin, if that tells you summit.
Zoe (to Victor): Heh. Just that you're crazy hot in the pants for our teeny assassin.
Victor (to Zoe): Heh heh. Yeah. That's certainly true. I more than love her. I'm mad about her, Zoe. Overwhelmingly, terrifyingly mad. We don't do anything half arsed, do we?
Zoe (to Victor): No, I think we inherited that whole 'go big or go home' motto of Dad's... Heh. I'm very happy for you, big brother, and slightly jealous. Every time I mention anything long term to Felix, he just says 'not yet' or 'I'm not ready'. It's enough to drive me mad.
Victor (to Zoe): Heh. Well it's not because he isn't in love with you, that's for bloody sure. What's the problem? Or won't he say?
Zoe (to Victor): Heh. I know he loves me & I love him. That's not the problem. I think there's a small part of him that doesn't trust me or the situation. Like, he's so rotten that he doesn't deserve to be happy & so he's waiting for the other shoe to drop.
Victor (to Zoe): What? Really? ... Has he not met the rest of us? Bloody hell! I feel like I should let him read some of Mum & Dad's old files.
Zoe (to Victor): The funny thing is that I don't necessarily want to get married but the fact that he won't even entertain the idea, just makes me crazy and obsess about it, even more. If he would just ask, I would probably be all like, 'Yeah, sure, whatever' & then I'd never bring it up again but because he acts all aloof and distant whenever it's mentioned... I'm sorry, we were talking about you & Yuki and I went all babblemouth.
Victor (to Zoe): You listened to me ramble, what kind of brother would I be if I didn't listen to you? ...Not that I have any good advice.
Zoe (to Victor): Heehee. Thank you for listening, anyway... Did you ever think this would be our life? Sitting around concerned about our significant others or our lack of proper emotional responses? ... Wait. Probably the second isn't all that far-fetched. ;-P
Victor (to Zoe): Heh heh. I can honestly say I figured I'd always have to worry about the second. I've always been a bit of a freak. As are we all.
Zoe (to Victor): At least, we've got each other.
Victor (to Zoe): Heh. That we do. I wonder if Felix -- and Luc and Charles for that matter-- realize exactly how much they fit in.
Zoe (to Victor): HAHAHA... Oops... Floor... I think I might be drunk.
Victor (to Zoe): Heh heh. So I see. Come on, Little Sister. Let's get you... Whoops! Ha ha ha! I think I might be drunk as well.
Zoe (to Victor): HAHAHA! Just leave me here... I'll be fine. Maybe, one of those nice gentlemen over there will entertain me or not... Jerks. You just can't find a good scoundrel in a bar these days. Not like you used to... I think Mom met Dad in a place like this. It was a little nicer... But, not by much.
Victor (to Zoe): Heh heh. I think between the two of us, we'll manage. I thought they met in West Piedmont.
Zoe (to Victor): Well, yeah as adults. But, Mom said that she always had this weird feeling like she had met Dad before. And, Ms. Dvorak regaled me with a tale of a run-in at a place kinda like this, way before they met "officially". She told me about it when I was bugging her about my fortune and asking her to teach me how to do it... She promised me to secrecy and that I shouldn't mention it to them. She said it would ruin the romance of their little love story if they knew how awkward & inept they were upon first meeting.
Victor (to Zoe): Ha ha ha! WHAT? Oh you have to tell me now. Heh. According to Aunt Mouse they weren't even all the suave then.
Zoe (to Victor): Heehee. Not even in the slightest... Ms. Dvorak said it must have been shortly after he started working for Alistair. She was teaching Mom the ropes of negotiating with "unsavory" types. Mom was not quite the fashion plate she is now & was dressed in baggy boy's clothes. Heh. Dad apparently was so nervous that he tripped and fell on to Mom, grabbing her very inappropriately. Mom yelled and ran off quite embarrassed to the powder room. Ms. Dvorak said she had to finish the talk without her, while Dad blushed quietly in the corner. They never got each other's names or anything, so Ms. Dvorak never thought about it again until a few years ago when she had a moment of deja vu during a meeting with our parents. Heehee.
Victor (to Zoe): Ha ha ha! Oh shit! Makes you feel a bit better about being us, don't it?
Zoe (to Victor): Yeah, and also nice knowing that they weren't always so smooth, calm & collected like they are now.
Victor (to Zoe): Heh. Yeah... Woo! I'm a bit unsteady on my feet. Ha ha ha! So are you!
Zoe (to Victor): Heehee. I don't think anyone is coming to rescue us so we're just going to have to help ourselves. C'mon.
Victor (to Zoe): Heh. I think we can manage it. I have confidence in our abilities to get home.
Zoe (to Victor): I'm glad one of us does... Which way is home?
Victor (to Zoe): Heh heh... Uhhh, that is a very good question. This way? Yeah... This way.
Zoe (to Victor): ... We're going to die here.
Victor (to Zoe): Ha ha ha! All the trouble we've gotten ourselves in, and THIS is how you think we're gonna die? As if! AS IF!
Zoe (to Victor): It would be ironic.
Victor (to Zoe): Heh heh. Calm down. If we get too lost, we can always skip back... Whoops! We're being followed.
Zoe (to Victor): Shhhh, I know... That's why I'm playing at being drunk. I think they were paying too much attention to us in the pub.
Victor (to Zoe): What? Shite! Then why the ruddy hell did you let me get for real drunk?
Zoe (to Victor): Cuz you're a terrible actor.
Victor (to Zoe): I'll terrible actor you...
Zoe (to Victor): Don't do anything stupid, Victor.
Victor (to Zoe): Urk! ...I'm not! I'm not! Calm down. So what's your plan?
Zoe (to Victor): I was trying to draw them out, so we could get a better look at them and then... I was kinda hoping Yuki would show up in the nick of time, like she does... Um, clearly it's a work in progress.
Victor (to Zoe): Heh. So I see... Anyone you recognize?
Zoe (to Victor): I don't think so... How about you?
Victor (to Zoe): Heh. Want me to distract them?
Zoe (to Victor): Sure.
Victor (to strangers): Oi! 'Ullo, mates! Which one of you blokes fancies me sister! T'ain't right! In front of her family an' all! (to Zoe) Well?
Zoe (to Victor): Heh... show off. :-p
Victor (to Zoe): Heh. I may be a cruddy pirate, a terrible actor, and a questionable gent all around, but I'm a GREAT distraction.
Zoe (to Victor): Heehee. C'mon, big brother. It may be time for us to pull anchor, don't ya think?
Victor (to Zoe): Heh. I couldn't agree more. (to Felix, Yukiko & Luc) We're waying anchor, crew!
Felix (to Victor): Uhhh... Aye, Captain. I'll be on the bridge shortly.
Victor (to Felix): Good. Heh heh... Cuz I'm more than a little drunk.
Felix (to Victor): Oh dear.
Zoe (to Felix & Victor): It's a long story.
Felix (to Zoe & Victor): It's a funny thing, pretty girl. The more of you Potters that get together, the longer the story gets. ;-)
Zoe (to Felix & Victor): ... Well, wouldn't the world be a dull place if we were all the same?
Felix (to Zoe): Heh. I don't think I could ever get bored with you around.
Zoe (to Felix): Heh. I'm glad to hear it.
Victor (to Zoe & Felix): Bloody 'ell! If you two are gonna shag, go get to it! Don't flirt all over the cabin.
Zoe (to Victor): Yessir! (to Felix) C'mon, sexy man! Let's go before he realizes what he just said.
Felix (to Victor & Zoe): Heh. Why don't I help to get us in the air first, sir?
Zoe (to Felix): ... Damn you & your sense of duty.
Felix (to Zoe): Heh. Sorry I don't want us all to die in a fiery crash. Trust me. I'm worth the wait. ;-p
Zoe (to Felix): I know you are... Oh! Tell Victor congratulations. He & Yuki made it official. They are once again engaged.
Felix (to Zoe): Heh. Are they? (to Victor) Congratulations, Captain.
Victor (to Felix & Zoe): Oh lord... Ha ha ha! Stop making a face and take the first mate away. Go on! I promise not to kill us.
Zoe (to Victor): No, no. I'm good with waiting here & making faces at you.
Victor (to Zoe): I'll bet.
Felix (to Zoe & Victor): Heh heh.
An hour later:
Felix (to Victor): That's us in the air, Captain. I believe I have an appointment to keep. (to Zoe) Come on, pretty lady.
Zoe (to Victor): About time! See ya, big brother. Try not need us for a couple hou-- make that the rest of the night.
Victor (to Zoe & Felix): Heh heh. Cheers!
