At Ms. Dvorak's house; New London, Britannia:
Ms. Dvorak (to George): George, you need to hurry. The Wicked Sister should be at the dock by now & you still need to get your escort.
George (to Ms. Dvorak): I know, I know. I'm going... Wouldn't it be easier to have Miss Poppy skip me over?
Ms. Dvorak (to George): ... No, dear. She had a previous engagement, besides going by ship gives your young man time to recuperate.
George (to Ms. Dvorak): Is there something you're not telling me, ma'am?
Ms. Dvorak (to George): You're getting too ruddy smart for your own good! Nothing to worry your head about, dear. Just get a move on.
George (to Ms. Dvorak): ... Yes, ma'am.
An hour or so later, at Aiden's house; New London, Britannia:
George (to Mrs. Esterly): Good morning, Mrs. Esterly. I'm here to wheel Charles to the docks... What smells so good? Are you baking scones?
Mrs. Esterly (to George): Good morning, dear. I'd call what I'm doing "attempting to make scones." Charles was good enough to write down his recipe. I'm afraid they aren't quite as good as his. I suppose we'll just have to endure while you two are away.
George (to Mrs. Esterly): Heehee. He does make the best scones, doesn't he? Well, your attempt smells lovely... Is he up and about, yet?
Mrs. Esterly (to George): I believe so, dear. I heard him thumping about up there which means he's on his leg more than he should be. I'll have some breakfast waiting for you when you come down.
George (to Mrs. Esterly): Yes, ma'am and thank you.
A few minutes later:
George (to Charles): Pack up your silk pajamas, Charles and let's get this show on the road. I have your chariot waiting for you downstairs. ;-P
Charles (to George): Heh. Chariot? Honestly, I could get by on just crutches. It's a bit embarrassing to have everyone making such a fuss... I'm almost finished. I just need to get this closed...
George (to Charles): We like making a fuss over you, Charles. Or didn't you notice? … Would you like a hand with that?
Charles (to George): No. I'm sure I can... If I could just... I would very much appreciate a hand. Thank you.
George (to Charles): ... Of course. Oof. What do you have in here? Bricks?
Charles (to George): I'm sorry! It wasn't this heavy before, but Mrs. Longfellow insisted I take more clothes and the books I had been reading... She said she wasn't sending me out into the world in trousers that were too small and without a good, warm sweater.
George (to Charles): Heehee. We may need to use the wheelchair to carry your suitcase.
Joseph (to Charles & George): Heh. I believe that's why Mrs. Esterly sent me up here to help.
George (to Joseph): Oh! I didn't hear you come in... I don't believe we've met. I'm George.
Joseph (to George): I'm Joseph... I don't mean to be rude, but I don't think shaking your hand is a great idea. I heard about what happened to Nate.
George (to Joseph): Oh yes... I understand... Well, it's nice meeting you, anyway.
Charles (to Joseph & George): Thank you, Mr. Joseph. I-- I didn't mean to be such a bother...What did you do to this guy, Wildcat?
George (to Charles): ... I don't want to talk about it, Charlie.
Joseph (to George): George, if you could grab the suitcase that would be great. (to Charles) Charles, feel free to lean on me down the stairs. And stop worrying.
Charles (to Charles): Be quiet. (to George & Joseph) Thank you...
George (to Joseph): Yessir.
An hour or so later, the Wicked Sister, the docks; New London, Britannia:
Luc (to Charles & George): Hello and welcome aboard… I am your cruise director, Luc Vadrou-- (to Zoe) Am I really supposed to say this?
Zoe (to Luc): Yes, of course. Would I steer you wrong? (to Charles & George) Hello Charles! And you must be George. Hi there!
Luc (to Zoe): Yes. I believe you would.
Charles (to Zoe): Hello again, Ms Zoe. (to Luc) Um, hello, sir. It's nice to make your acquaintance... Sure it is. Um, excuse me.
Luc (to Charles): You must be Charles. (to George) Miss George, let me help you with the bags. It's alright, you can touch my hand. I'm not like the rest of the family. ;-)
Charles (to Luc): Was it the wheelchair that gave it away? Um... Excuse me. I don't mean to be a nuisance.
George (to Luc): Oh, um, thank you… (to Charles) Behave, Charlie. They're doing us a favor.
Victor (to Charles, George, Zoe & Luc): Hullo, passengers! Did the cruise director not greet you properly?
Zoe (to Luc): Heehee. See, I told you, Luc.
George (to Victor): He did, Captain Potter… I'd shake your hand but I've been warned.
Victor (to George): Heh. Don't worry about it, George. None of us would survive if our skin wasn't thicker than rhino hide. (to Charles) Glad to see you're well, Mr. Turner. Luc here is little our brother.
Luc (to Victor): I wouldn't say little.
Zoe (to Luc): Stop trying to be Mister Clever, Luc. (to Victor & Luc) Who wants to give them the 50¢ tour?
Victor (to Luc): Right. Baby brother. Sorry, Luc. (to George, Charles, Zoe & Luc) I'll leave you lot to it. Ship to fly and all. Glad to see you're well enough, Mr. Turner.
Zoe (to Luc, George & Charles): It's all you, Luc. I need to make dinner. Have fun!
Luc (to Zoe & Victor): … Thanks. (to Charles & George) Well, it looks like it's the three of us. Follow me.
Charles (to Luc): Baby brother?
Luc (to Charles & George): Yes… We're not what you'd call a traditional family. Would you like to see your rooms?
Charles (to Luc): So I see. Yeah. Seeing the rooms would be aces. Thanks.
George (to Luc): Yes, thank you… (to Charles) Pssst. Charlie, why are you here? Is Charles alright?
Charles (to George): There's no cure for what's wrong with Charles. You can't tell me you *trust* this... gentleman.
George (to Charles): Not entirely. He looks familiar but I can't place him.
Luc (to Charles & George): We had to put you next to each other, not too many rooms… So, you're both on your honor to behave. The other option was to house you with one of us & well, that would put a damper on our style so to speak.
George (to Luc & Charles): Oh, really?
Charles (to Luc): So you need us to behave, so you don't have to? Heh. Sounds about right.
Luc (to Charles & George): You're both free agents. You can go anywhere on the ship you'd like. The only rule is to knock first... And, trust me, you'll make that mistake only once. I have seen more than enough of my brother's naked ass to realize that rule is for your own good. ;-P
Charles (to Luc): That's... highly disturbing.
Luc (to Charles & George): You're telling me. Here, we are… I'll leave you two to get settled in. Do you want me to come get you when dinner is ready? Or would you rather find it yourselves?
Charles (to Luc): ...I think we can manage it on our own. Wouldn't want to trouble you.
Luc (to Charles & George): I'll leave you to it then. Feel free to continue your little discussion about yours truly when I'm gone. If you want to know something, just ask.
George (to Luc): Oh, um, yessir… (to Charles) That was-- Are the Potters always like that?
Charles (to George): Not the ones I've met. A little crunchy around the edges. The good Captain there was sure sizing me up... Dangerous if pressed, but not like him. He's a ruddy snake. And how could he be their brother? He's almost the same age as the parents.
George (to Charles): I don't know. Ms. Dvorak kept me away from the Potters as much as possible. Especially after-- Do you need help unpacking?
Charles (to George): Since what? Bloody hell! I KNEW Charles had no reason to be so ruddy arrogant. These folk can be trusted, he says... What kind of trouble are we in?
George (to Charles): You're completely fine… It's me, that's got them all on edge. I accidentally hurt Nate when he touched my arm. I can't touch skippers without causing problems. It's why I've been hiding out all this time… My father thought it was very interesting and wanted to use me for his inventions… See? You're not the only one with issues? At least, you can touch folks without causing them harm… I'm just a freak.
Charles (to George): Ha ha ha! Sorry, Wildcat, but from what I can see, you ain't any more a freak than anyone else on this ship. Besides, you can touch me just fine, can't you? Doesn't hurt me in the slightest. See?
George (to Charles): So, I see… You know, Charles wouldn't appreciate you taking such liberties, Charlie. Why is he hiding? Are you guys taking turns? Is there some sort of schedule I should know about?
Charles (to George): We agreed to take turns. He said he'd let me check out the crew since I was "so concerned." I'm sure he'll have ALL Kinds of things to say about my behavior and manners later... Anyway, who cares what Charles thinks? Do YOU care about me taking such liberties?
George (to Charles): Yes. Yes, I do… I imagine Charles set some ground rules about your "turns", Charlie. What are they? on't look at me like that… It's quite simple. It wouldn't be fair to do things with you that I wouldn't do with him.
Charles (to George): <sigh> That I'm to act in a "civilized" manner to Charles little adopted family, and treat you with, and I quote, "the utmost reverence and respect". You can stop making that face. I didn't try anything that Charles doesn't wanna try. Nor am I trying anything that I don't think you're interested in trying...
George (to Charles): Heh. Yes, but it's because I like you… What are you going to do? You can't stay like this. It's not fair to either of you. … And, stop trying to distract me by doing that… I'm trying to talk to you.
Charles (to George): I'm buggered if I know. It isn't like I chose to show up, or how I'd manage to go back, if I were so inclined. And who's to say I should? Seems to me that "Charles" is the personality that's a lie. Not me.
George (to Charles): … Do you want my opinion, Charlie?
Charles (to George): What's that?
George (to Charles): I think you're both just two separate halves of a whole. And that neither of you is the true Charles or Charlie. But, it makes no difference to me. I like you both, equally… Which I should feel guilty about, but I don't.
Charles (to George): Heh heh. Oh yeah? What's there to like about Charles? His fashion sense? Besides, even if neither one of us is "whole," what's to be done? How 'bout we stop talking about Charles for a little bit?
George (to Charles): Oh… C'mere.
An hour or so later:
Zoe (to Luc): Luc, please don't tell me, you left the kids alone?
Luc (to Zoe): … I'm not sure how I'm supposed to answer that question.
Zoe (to Luc): Let me put it like this, did you leave 2 horny teenagers alone?
Victor (to Zoe & Luc): Hullo, siblings! I promised Felix I'd be quick about getting supper... Where are Charles and George?
Zoe (to Victor & Luc): Probably, doing something that they shouldn't because brother Luc is an idiot.
Luc (to Zoe & Victor): I am not an idiot. And, they didn't seem all that comfortable with me. I smiled and everything. They said that they'd find their own way to dinner… I didn't do it right, did I?
Victor (to Luc): Bloody hell! Did you forget what it's like to be 15? You know this means it's your job to go break them up.
Luc (to Victor): … I had sex when I was twelve, big little brother. The joy of boarding school…
Zoe: … I am very disturbed.
Victor (to Luc): So then, yeah, Mr. Man of the World, you remember. Hop to it! (to Zoe) We really ARE a family of perverts. :-p
Luc (to Victor & Zoe): I suppose I'll go break them up. I'm sorry.
Zoe (to Victor): I think my heart just broke a little bit, Victor… I feel kind of guilty that Luc went through all that alone.
Victor (to Zoe): Well, yeah... A buncha lonely kids, unsupervised a bunch of hours of the day... Ouch! I was just kidding! You think it was creepier than just that?
Zoe (to Victor): It's not just that… I mean, where did he go for the holidays? Can you imagine Christmas with Maladori? Yuck.
Victor (to Zoe): No. Not even slightly. Guess we'll have to bully hum into a proper Christmas this year, won't we? This'll be my first year not spent in a pub in a long while, and Aiden and Nate have Lily this year, so we'll *force* him to have a happy Christmas. :-p
Zoe (to Victor): Oh my god! Can we have a real family Christmas with the whole family? Where do we do it? Here or in West Piedmont? I have so much to plan... I'm so excited. We need a tree and stockings. I need to make a list.
Victor (to Zoe): Heh. Uh oh. You've got a mad look. Woe to the foolish soul who dares to defy you. He'll die with "bah, humbug" on his lips.
Zoe (to Victor): Don't tease! There are kids that aren't us & an actual extended family... I've never had that before. This is exciting! Besides, we could all use some holly, jolly holiday spirit, don't ya think?
Victor (to Zoe): Heh. You're probably right.
A few minutes later:
Luc (to George & Charles): <knock, knock> Pardon me. But, Victor insisted I come & get you for dinner… I am truly sorry to interrupt.
George (to Luc): Huh? Bugger off!
Charles (to Luc): ...We're on our way. (to George) We can continue this later if you like...
George (to Charles): I'd like that… Um, don't tell Charles, though.
Charles (to George): Heh heh. I won't say a word to him.
George (to Charles): Thank you.
Luc (to George & Charles): I really am sorry about this. If it were up to me, I'd leave you to your own devices.
A short time later, in the dining area:
George (to Victor, Zoe & Charles): Hello, Captain Potter. Miss Zoe. Dinner smells delicious.
Zoe (to George, Charles & Victor): Thank you. There's plenty for everyone so, don't be shy about asking for seconds.
Victor (to Zoe, George & Charles): Here they are. Hullo, George. Charlie.
Victor (to George & Charles): You're looking a bit flushed. :-p (to Zoe) Oi! Don't throw shit at the Captain!
Zoe (to Victor): Don't be a perv!
Victor (to Zoe): Heh. Too late. I was doomed from the day I was born. (to George & Charles) Sorry to have embarrassed you. Good to see you back among us, Mr. Turner.
George (to Victor): Oh, I wasn't embarrassed. I've heard tales about you from Irene Fitzgerald, Captain.
Victor (to George): Who me? I'm practically a saint... In this reality. Irene is mixing me up with my father. ;)
Zoe (to George & Victor): Oooo, Irene, really? I'm not sure I recognize the name. I bet Yuki would love to hear this.
George (to Zoe): It was quite lewd, Miss Zoe. To be honest, I was never sure it was true, especially after I caught sight of him.
Zoe (to George): Yeah, I've heard that about him before. Personally I think it's all an act. ;-P
Victor (to George): See? I told you: saintly. If it was lewd, it was DEFINITELY about our father.
George (to Victor): Fair enough, sir. So, I shouldn't give her your regards the next time I see her then, huh?
Victor (to George): Hahaha! I think she'd be shocked if you did, as I'm fairly certain we've never met. So, yes. You should.
George (to Victor): Heh.
Victor (to George): You're all right, George. (to Zoe, Charles & George) Suppose I should get back to captaining, eh? Cheers, kids!
Charles (to George & Zoe): That was, um... That was... I have no idea what to say.
