On the streets; New London, Britannia:
Una: So, it's true, someone blew up Maladori's lab... Well, that certainly solves my problems. I think I shall have a drink in celebration.
A short time later, at Tesla's Monastery; Colorado Springs, Colorado, American Colonies:
Vincent (to Nathaniel): There you are! We've been looking everywhere for you. I've got... We need to discuss more than a few things. As a family. (to Zoe, Victor & Luc) I found Nate!
Zoe (to Vincent): Good... Can we get this fucking over with?
Nathaniel (to Vincent, Victor, Zoe & Luc): What's going on?
Luc (to Nathaniel): We're not sure. (to Zoe) Can the attitude, sister o' mine.
Zoe (to Luc): Make me.
Luc (to Zoe): …
Vincent (to Zoe): Zoe Clair, stop it. Here. Hold your baby brother. (to Victor) Victor, can you get us all to the apartment in West Piedmont?
Zoe (to Vincent): Fine... (to Lucas) Lucas, when you grow up, promise me you won't have a stick up your butt like Luc, ok?
Victor (to Vincent): Yeah. Should be able to, but I'll be on my arse if the inhibitor field's on.
Vincent (to Victor): It's not. (to Luc, Zoe, Nathaniel & Victor) Come on. Everyone join hands. (to Nathaniel & Zoe) You two help him out as much as your hangovers will allow.
Nathaniel (to Vincent): ...Yeah. Alright.
Luc (to Vincent): Are we going to have a sing-along?
Vincent (to Luc & Zoe): Good heavens... Why did all you kids have to get my asshole genes? (to Victor) Whenever you're ready.
Victor (to Vincent): Oh! Right. (to Nathaniel, Luc & Zoe) Oh three, yeah? One. Two. Three...
A moment later, at Poppy & Vincent's apartment; West Piedmont:
Zoe: Oof... Why do I smell bacon?
Poppy (to Zoe, Victor, Luc, Nathaniel & Vincent): That would be because I'm making breakfast, honey... Mars & Amunet went off to a movie so we could have some family alone time.
Luc: I bloody well knew it!
Nathaniel (to Poppy & Vincent): ...What the fuck is going on?
Vincent (to Nathaniel, Victor, Luc & Zoe): Everyone just calm down. Calm down! Sit down, and your mom will explain.
Zoe (to Poppy & Vincent): You giant fucking dicks!
Poppy (to Vincent): Thank you, lover. (to Zoe, Victor, Luc, & Nathaniel) First off, before you start calling us more names. Your father didn't know until yesterday.
Vincent (to Zoe): Zoe! Plant your bottom, young lady. (to Victor) You too, Victor! Victor?
Poppy (to Vincent): Honey, why don't you go grab him? I know he's furious at me, as everyone has the right to be.
Zoe (to Poppy): Damn skippy, we're mad at you, Mom! You lied to us! What you couldn't fucking trust us to keep your secret?
Poppy (to Zoe): It's a bit more complicated than that... Will you please just listen?
Zoe (to Poppy): Fuck off... I need a smoke. Here. Take Lucas. I'm sure he's too young to be emotionally traumatized by this.
Poppy (to Nathaniel & Luc): ... Well, that went better than I expected... You two are being awfully quiet. Go on, let me have it.
Luc (to Poppy): I am reserving my right to comment until after I've heard everything. Seems only fair.
Poppy (to Luc): Thank you, honey.
Nathaniel (to Poppy): Roland's fucking involved, isn't he?
Poppy (to Luc & Nathaniel): You got the nail on the head, honey... He found out my relationship to Thaddeus, whether from him directly or someone else, I'm still not sure. He then threatened my entire family if I didn't help the ISS take out CLANNG once and for all. So, in order to protect you all, I faked my death.
Nathaniel (to Poppy): ... Fuck. I was afraid you were gonna say something like that. Want me to see if I can wrangle Zoe?
Poppy (to Nathaniel): In a minute, honey. She needs a moment to cool off... or figure out how angry she wants to be.
Luc (to Poppy): How did you do it? There were reports of a body. There was blood in the Gervaux's shop.
Poppy (to Luc & Nathaniel): It was Percy's original chassis, the one that looked like me. Tesla had made it able to pass for human, years ago, including a phony circulatory system. If they had opened it up, they would have seen right away that it was an automaton but a cursory glance it would have looked human. I made sure that they didn't have much time to examine it. That's why the attacks on CLANNG happened when they did.
Luc (to Poppy): Who else knew about your plan? You couldn't have done it, alone.
Poppy (to Luc & Nathaniel): Tesla and Percy knew everything & helped me arrange everything. Mars made the energy signature scrubber but she didn't know what I was using it for until this morning when I scared the hell out of her & Amunet.
Luc (to Poppy): Ah, alright then. (to Nathaniel) What? I grew up with this sort of thing.
Nathaniel (to Luc): ... Ha ha ha ha! Oh Jesus! Yeah you did!
Poppy (to Luc & Nathaniel): You both are taking this better than I thought you would.
Nathaniel (to Poppy & Luc): God's hairy cock, this is fucking... Heh. This is so this fucking family. I'm glad you're OK, Aunt Poppy.
Luc (to Poppy): We were out looking for you. Neither of us thought you were really dead.
Nathaniel (to Poppy): He's right. The whole thing was too fucking sterile, ya know? It got us suspicious.
Poppy (to Nathaniel): I'm sorry for doing it, Nate. I just couldn't think of another way to keep you all safe. And, I couldn't tell Vincent. You know, what a terrible liar he is. He'd be sashaying all around the place when he was supposed to be in mourning.
Nathaniel (to Poppy): Yeah. I can see that. He also wouldn't have been able to keep it from us. With good reason too. None of 'em were doing so hot. (to Poppy & Luc) That one included.
Luc (to Nathaniel & Poppy): Who me!?! I was fine... I am relieved that you're okay, Miss Poppy.
Poppy (to Luc & Nathaniel): I swear, Luc, if you don't give me a hug right now, I'll scream... And then, it's your turn, Nate.
Luc (to Poppy): Yes, of course.
Nathaniel (to Poppy): Heh. Yeah. Of course.
Poppy (to Luc & Nathaniel): I think now might be a good time to talk to Zoe. Maybe, she'll listen to you... Luc, you can help me with breakfast and then, I guess we'll all figure out what to do next.
Nathaniel (to Poppy): Yeah. I'll give it a shot. At the least, I'll get a cigarette.
Luc (to Poppy): You want my help with breakfast? Isn't that more up Nate's alley?
Poppy (to Luc & Nathaniel): Yes. However, Zoe is in a snit. Nate & her have a rapport... Besides, it'll give us a chance to talk.
Poppy (to Nathaniel): Thank you, honey.
Meanwhile, on the rooftop:
Vincent (to Victor): Victor? Are you out here?
Victor (to Vincent): ...Yeah. I'm over here.
Vincent (to Victor): How are you doing, Little Man?
Victor (to Vincent): I feel like shit, Dad... You didn't know about Mom's plan, did you?
Vincent (to Victor): No, I didn't.
Victor (to Vincent): You know, when you an' Mum died in the other timeline, I tried to find you... Usually, I can feel where you guys are. If I look for you, that is. When I tried to find Mum, it was... It was just emptiness. Like before. And I knew EXACTLY what that meant, but I had to keep it together for everyone else's sake. There was nothing there, and it... It hurt. It hurt. Bad.
Vincent (to Victor): I know, kiddo. Come here.
A moment later, on the balcony:
Nathaniel (to Zoe): Hey weirdo. Got another one?
Zoe (to Nathaniel): <sob> ... Maybe.
Nathaniel (to Zoe): C'mere...
Zoe (to Nathaniel): ... I think I've been holding that in for days... I can't believe she did that to us. I'm so mad at her.
Nathaniel (to Zoe): Yeah. I'd imagine. I get it. You were worried once you started, you weren't gonna stop... It was Roland. He threatened to go scorched earth on your family if your mom didn't take out CLANNG.
Zoe (to Nathaniel): What a fucking douchenozzle! ... But, why didn't she tell us what she was doing?
Nathaniel (to Zoe): He must have had some kinda leverage on her. And, I'm sure she was scared. You, your brothers, your aunt and uncles, cousins, me, Aide, Lily, and probably poor Mrs. Esterly would all be on the ISS's hit list.
Zoe (to Nathaniel): ... Would Aiden be upset if we killed him? I'm just kidding. We're not the bad guys.
Nathaniel (to Zoe): You think I didn't think about it? Like seriously? You or Victor could find him wherever he was... Not like we'd get caught.
Zoe (to Nathaniel): ... Heh... Victor seemed really upset. I mean, I'm right there with him, but do you think he's okay?
Nathaniel (to Zoe): I dunno. Your dad went off after him. Heh. You know Luc was trying to deny he was worried and upset?
Zoe (to Nathaniel): Well, duh. That's because he still doesn't know how to feel about us. And, honestly at the moment I don't much blame him.
Nathaniel (to Zoe): I don't fucking blame him. I don't know how to feel about us half the time either.
Zoe (to Nathaniel): Heh… Come on. I'm hungry. Do you think I can glare at mom & still get some food?
Nathaniel (to Zoe): Yeah. Seems like she's giving you guys plenty of space to be annoyed.
Several hours later, at a pub; New London, Britannia:
Una: The service in this place is abysmal… <sigh> I miss my sister. She would have gotten our drinks ages ago.
Craine (to Una): Well... Hello, short, dark and annoyed. Can I get you a drink? I mean, I can't actually afford to buy it for you, but I can certainly make sure you get your beverage in a timely manner.
Una (to Craine): … So, what exactly are you offering? Because, I believe I can handle getting myself a drink without worrying about my wallet. I find that holding out a large bill works just fine & it doesn't talk very much.
Craine (to Una): To threaten the bartender into giving you good service all for the cost of a single pint and just a little bit of your time. If I wanted to rob or con someone, I could hit up any one of the multitude of ugly faces in this place. It would be easy. But I'd much rather spend time with you. Your wallet will be perfectly safe.
Una (to Craine): … Does this sort of line normally work on the feeble minded? Because, I find you annoying & off-putting…
Craine (to Una): Heh. I AM annoying and off-putting, but when you're this good looking, no one really cares.
Una (to Craine): Prove to me you're as good as you say & then we shall see.
Craine (to Una): Stay right there, gorgeous. I'll be back, booze in hand shortly. Don't leave, now. I'd hate to have to do ANOTHER runner.
Una (to Craine): Heh. As I have nothing better to do, I will humor you… For a bit.
Craine (to Una): I'd like to humor you for a lot longer than a while.
A few moments later:
Craine (to Una): Here you are. Booze, strong and plentiful, as promised.
Una (to Craine): Desperation is not attractive. What are you called? Captain something or other judging by the jacket. Or did you steal it?
Craine (to Una): Really? I've found that someone begging and desperate can be a huge turn-on in the right circumstances. Or the wrong ones. It doesn't seem the jacket stands for anything at the moment, does it? And I didn't steal it. Why do people keep asking that? You can call me Craine, as that's my name. Or Mr. Wolfram. Or Captain. Or sexy. Whatever you like. Doesn't matter.
Una (to Craine): … Well, Craine, get yourself a drink and then, sit very quietly. Like a mouse. It looks like I'm meeting someone. If you behave yourself and do what you're told, I just may bring you home with me.
Craine (to Una): Heh... The question I'm left asking, beautiful, is would you WANT to take me home if I'm the quiet, well behaved type? I wouldn't.
Una (to Craine): To be honest, I don't really care what type you are. You're here, mildly attractive & clearly interested. I don't really understand the problem… Am I supposed to like you? Would that make it better? Besides, you never even asked my name. Even, I know to always ask for a name even if it's a fake one… If you're not willing to do what I asked than I'll just go. I'm sure I can find a number of willing applicants.
Craine (to Una): Heh heh heh. You're right. I don't see the problem either. I'll sit here like a little lamb, boss. I figured if you wanted me to know your name, you'd have offered it up by now.
Una (to Craine): You are very strange… My name is Una. Una Greymalkin. Now, if you'll excuse me. I need to see a man about a train… Blast! He's gone. I was afrai-- You don't want to hear about that. So, Craine, do you always proposition strangers in pubs or am I special? Feel free to start with the lying.
Craine (to Una): You don't need the likes of me lying to the likes of you. You and I are the best looking people in this place. What's say you and I get together and lose all these clothes? Or would you like me to start lying now?
Una (to Craine): Heh… I think you are tired of sleeping on a park bench & are willing to say anything to make sure you don't have to do it again. And, the only reason you'e turned your sights on me is either that everyone here turned you down or you owe them money. I could really care less either way. I have a big house with plenty of rooms… Come with me.
Craine (to Una): Well, there's that. It's all true enough. And there's the fact that I am VERY interested in getting you of all those layers. Lead and I'll follow.
Una (to Craine): Heh. You're certainly a cocky one, I'll give you that... Oh, and if I think for an instant that I'm being played, I'll kill you. Do we understand one another?
Craine (to Una): Clear as crystal on a fine summer day. And so we're both clear, if I think you're trying to slaughter me for no good reason, I won't hesitate to defend myself.
Una (to Craine): Fair enough... Now, let us seal the deal with a kiss. Or do you not kiss on the mouth? ;-)
Craine (to Una): What? Ha ha ha! Beautiful, there's no place I don't kiss. Lemme prove it to you...
