At the Longfellow bunker; New London, Britannia:
Eva: <tsk> Still running quite an impressive fever, aren't you, Mr. Turner? (to Charles) Mr. Turner? Mr. Turner! Drink this. All of it. There's a good lad.
Charles (to Eva): Hmmm? What...what's going on, miss?
Eva (to Charles): It's something to bring your fever down. Go back to sleep.
Charles (to Eva): <yawn> Yes, miss...
A moment later:
George (to Eva): Is he going to be alright, miss?
Eva (to George): That tracking device began dumping all kinds of toxins into his system after it activated. To keep him immobilized, I should think. We're still analyzing them. Nothing deadly so far. The professor wanted him alive, it seems.
George (to Eva): Oh... That's good, I guess... Isn't it?
Eva (to George): He's ill, but we've dealt with far more dire cases than his. I wonder... Never mind! Don't fret, George.
George (to Eva): What is it, miss? You hesitated. Please tell me.
Eva (to George): We assumed it was the strain of having his personality split that was wrecking such havoc on Mr. Turner's body. Perhaps it was actually due to the tracking device. I wonder if it was also facilitating or causing the Charlie personality.
George (to Eva): ... So, you think Charlie may be gone?
Eva (to George): I honestly don't know. The mind is tricky. It's never as straightforward as the other organs. It's such a bloody fiddly thing... I'm sorry, George.
George (to Eva): I understand, Miss Eva... Did Miss Zoe ever show up? Has anyone mentioned it to you?
Eva (to George): Yes. Apparently, the woman posing as Felix's sister incapacitated her. They found her mostly unharmed. I must admit that I've been focusing my concentration on providing antidotes for Charles, and avoiding that situation. It's been a bit too emotionally charged for my tastes.
George (to Eva): ... I'm glad she's alright. Is it alright if I bring Charles some soup?
Eva (to George): Yes, of course. I'll let you know as soon as I have something worked up for him.
George (to Eva): Thank you.
A little while later:
Charles: What the bloody hell was that?! It was probably George or Miss Eva, Charlie. Please calm down. I ... I think we need more sleep...
George (to Charles): I'm sorry... It was just me. I brought you some soup.
Charles (to George): Heh. Sorry, Wildcat. All this rot we're detoxing makes me feel a bit on edge.
George (to Charles): I understand. I'm glad you're still here, Charlie. Eva seemed to suggest that with the removal of the device, you might go. It's the device that was causing the troubles to your body & not you being about. So, that's good news, right?
Charles (to George): Oh? Heh heh. Sorry to disappoint you, but you two ain't rid of me yet. I suppose Charles will be happy we don't have to be merged. He was all kinds of paranoid about who it would make him.
George (to Charles): I'm not disappointed, Charlie. Quite the opposite. I happen to like you.
Charles (to George): Heh. Yeah. I kinda figured you do. What's not to like? It's you liking the other guy I can't quite ken.
George (to Charles): What's not to understand? He's sweet, caring, dependable & I wish I was more like him.
Charles (to George): What? Stuffy and bland? God fucking forbid. Stay you. You are FAR more interesting than that boring faker.
George (to Charles): You're just saying that cuz you want to see me naked, Charlie. I used to be like Charles... Until everything changed. But you can't go back. Not after things have changed so much. He makes me feel like a normal girl. I like that.
Charles (to George): If I didn't mean it, I wouldn't have said it! Don't matter how good you'd look outta that suit, I wouldn't bother with you if you weren't worth bothering with. Course if you WANTED to get naked, I wouldn't stop you... Normal is bullocks, if you ask me. Just people pretending things are better than they are.
George (to Charles): Heh. Very funny. What would be the point of me getting naked right now, Charlie? You're ill. Hardly the right time. ;-p
Charles (to George): Can't blame me for having my priorities straight. We'll just have to do it another time, yeah?
George (to Charles): ... Charlie? Can I ask you a strange question & get an honest answer?
Charles (to George): ... I suppose.
George (to Charles): ... Are you the original Charles, Charlie?
Charles (to George): ... Heh. Suppose it depends on what you mean by original, Wildcat.
George (to Charles): I mean, is Charles who you wanted to be all the time you were in the gang? I just get the feeling there's more to all of this than you're letting anyone know & until you decide to deal with it, you're stuck like this.
Charles (to George): ... I don't know if I can answer that question.
George (to Charles): Can't or won't, Charlie?
Charles (to George): CAN'T. I dunno. I dunno if Charles was the daydream I made up in the gang, or if I'm the one the daydreamer made up to cope with the bloody Smiths! What does it matter? Afraid I'm the real Charles, and then you've got no one to play at normal with?
George (to Charles): No, that's not why I was thinking that, you bloody twat! I happen to like BOTH of you & it's ruddy confusing!
Charles (to George): Yeah? You think THAT'S confusing? Try bein' the nasty footnote to everyone's ruddy favorite little golden boy! Wouldn't matter even if I was the original, would it? None of Charles's "family" would see me that way.
George (to Charles): That's not true, Charlie, and you know it. If anyone would be understanding & accept you, it would be these people. Look at who they've taken in. You just don't want to belong, anywhere.
Charles (to George): ... That's stupid. Everyone wants to belong somewhere, don't they? Human bloody condition an' all.
George (to Charles): Oh... Are you worried they won't accept you if they know all the things you did in the Smiths? It can't be any worse than what anyone else has done. I mean, I've heard most of them & I'm still here.
Charles (to George): ... Sure you heard 'em. Who's still could still be talking about me two years later?
George (to Charles): I was in the gang when you were a part of it, Charlie. I don't need people to tell me about it. I heard from folks who were with you... "Tremendous" Richard Crimmins being one of 'em & Shawn Hobbs being another.
Charles (to George): I'm not ashamed, if that's what you're getting at. I did what I had to do.
George (to Charles): You are really infuriating, you know that?
Charles (to George): ... So? What are you waiting for me to say? Most folk don't like doing awful things, but they will if they have to.
George (to Charles): I understand that. So, who you trying to convince?
Charles (to George): You say I'm bloody infuriating? YOU'RE infuriating! What are you trying to get me to say? That I hated being in the gang? That I hated who I WAS in the gang?! No shite! We all did. You're right! If you must know! Charles--*I*-- wouldn't have been reading no books, or talking like a gent in the gang. I'd have been slaughtered. It was a con, alright? A bloody scam! Speak real proper, tell 'em you're younger than you are, give 'em a nice sob story about how you ended up in the gang, and people will fall all over themselves to help you. It's depressing how bloody well that works... I didn't expect I'd be given a straight job that I liked of all things, or get access to more books than I'd ever seen... So yeah. I started believing the shite I spewed. THAT what you wanted to hear? 'S no wonder I wound up balmy.
George (to Charles): ... It's alright, Charlie. I won't say anything... Um, here. You look like you could use this...
Charles (to George): I don't need... Oh. Never mind. ...Thanks.
George (to Charles): ... Did you just grab my ass, Charlie? ... Way to ruin a moment.
Charles (to George): Heh. Wasn't ruined for me.
George (to Charles): I-- I should go.
Charles (to George): If you say so. Thanks for the food, Wildcat.
George (to Charles): You're welcome. Get some sleep... I'll come by later with some supper for you.
Charles (to George): Yeah... I could use a few more hours. Night...
A couple hours, at the monastery; Colorado Springs, Colorado, British Colonies:
Zoe: ... How much longer do I have to lay in this stupid bed?
Felix (to Zoe): Hello, pretty lady. I brought you... Well, that's certainly a face you're making.
Zoe (to Felix): Don't say another word unless it's to tell me that I can get out of this bloody bed!
Felix (to Zoe): ...Actually, I was wanting to know if you wanted supper.
Zoe (to Felix): No... I want to get out of here & I want to throttle your "sister".
Felix (to Zoe): Are you sure you're all right, Zoe? Why have the twins still got you on bed rest?
Zoe (to Felix): I don't know! Una won't tell me. She just keeps coming in, taking blood samples & mumbling. Am I dying... Again? ... Or is this all some plot to stop me from killing your assassin sister? And, why won't anyone tell me what's going on with her? ... Who is she?
Felix (to Zoe): I don't think anyone knows. Or if they are, they're not telling me anything, since sbe pretty much killed my sister.
Zoe (to Felix): Well, that's just peachy... She certainly packs a mean wallop. I'm not sure what she got me with but OW.
Felix (to Zoe): I don't know. She has Josette's body and some of her memories, but she's not my sister... Sounds like she's done this sort of thing before. I'm glad it wasn't anything to strong.... Come here for a moment.
Zoe (to Felix): ... That was nice... You know you're not rid of me that easily, right? I just wish someone would tell me what's going on.
Felix (to Zoe): I know, but you'll forgive for needing a little bit of reassurance. Come on. Let's go find Una and find out what's going on.
Zoe (to Felix): You go. I'll stay here. The last thing I want to do is get yelled at for leaving the bed... If you see any of my family, send them this way. I might be able to wrangle something out of them.
Felix (to Zoe): I will. I love you, Zoe. I'll be back whenever I learn something.
Zoe (to Felix): I love you too, Felix... And, I know I probably don't need to say this but I'm totes going to anyway... I'm not mad at you.
Felix (to Zoe): ... I should have known better. She played me like a sentimental sap.
Zoe (to Felix): Anyone would have made the same mistake. You're not a sap, just human. Try not to beat yourself about it too much, okay?
Felix (to Zoe): ... I will. I'll see what I can find out.
Zoe (to Felix): Alright.
A short time later:
Felix (to Luc): Mr. Vadrouiller. Is Miss Una about?
Luc (to Felix): I believe she is in the lab conversing with Mr. Tesla.
Felix (to Luc): Blast! ...You don't happen to know what's going on with Zoe, do you? They've got her in bed, taking blood every hour...
Luc (to Felix): ... I have no idea. All I heard is something about a condition & being an impossibility. But, I'm not sure If they were referring to Zoe, Mister Turner or our "guest".
Felix (to Luc): Damnation! I don't like being kept in the dark, especially considering... 'Scuse me.
Luc (to Felix): ... Considering an assassin disguised as your sister took out your girlfriend?
Felix (to Luc): Yeah. You could say that.
Luc (to Felix): Oh right, of course... I'll just continue to sit here going through all these files on known assassins.
Felix (to Luc): ...Learn anything?
Luc (to Felix): Mostly that assassins are a weird bunch... Did you know there was one that raised porcupines to use there quills?
Felix (to Luc): ... And I thought Mr. Park was odd.
Luc (to Felix): Oddly, not as weird as these others... Oh wait! There was one that was called the "skin trader"... I didn't quite get the name until right now. Where's that damn file? Help me find it... It had an odd name on it.
Felix (to Luc): ... Alright. What kind of odd?
Luc (to Felix): The name was Romany, I think. It was something like Leonora Surrender... No, um, Lavender Salander. No... It was definitely an L & S.
Felix (to Luc): Leahlabel Sarkozi?
Luc (to Felix): Yes! That's it... Did you find the file?
Felix (to Luc): Yeah... Is all this true?
Luc (to Felix): I believe so... I'm sorry. She seems to be some sort of skipper but instead of skipping locations, she is able to skip into bodies in both worlds... And, people think I'm creepy.
Felix (to Luc): ... Judging by the way you snatched that file from me, nothing good happens to the bodies she's skipped into.
Luc (to Felix): ... They tend to die. Which could be what's got Una & Tesla in a tizzy. Maybe, there's a way to save her?
Felix (to Luc): Oh. Yes. That would be... It would be good... Some kind of mother who sells her children off to be slaughtered, isn't it?
Luc (to Felix): Um, I'm not very good at this whole comforting thing... I'm sorry.
Felix (to Luc): It's quite alright. There's not much to be comforting about.
Luc (to Felix): … Well, as the only mother I remember is Maladori, I am not a good person to ask regarding proper motherly behavior. But, I seriously doubt Poppy would behave in that manner.
Felix (to Luc): Heh. No I wouldn't imagine she would. I expect her and the Captain will by soon enough dragging a thundercloud with them. Someone has been mucking with their family... They tend not to take kindly to that kind of thing.
Luc (to Felix): ... You have no idea.
Felix (to Luc): ... No. I wouldn't, particularly. But I'm trying to learn. As are you, I'm guessing.
Luc (to Felix): Feel free to take the file, Felix. I can tell you want to.
Felix (to Luc): I do... Thank you.
Luc (to Felix): And, I'm sure Zoe will be fine. My sister is made of sterner stuff.
Felix (to Luc): ... I know she is. Doesn't mean I'm not going to worry.
Luc (to Felix): ... She is lucky to have you, Felix. You're alright.
Felix (to Luc): Oh... Heh. Thank you, Mr. Vadrouiller. I'm still getting used to hearing that as well. I'm going to bring this over to Zoe.
Luc (to Felix): If I see either of the twins, I'll send them your way.
Felix (to Luc): Thank you, sir.
