In the carriage house, at Aiden's house; New London, Britannia:
Persephone (to Victor): Victor, I've made breakfast. You hungry?
Victor (to Persephone): Hmmm? Hey, Seph! This is where I stumbled to last night, eh? Yeah, that sounds... Cor! That sounds like a bad idea just now.
Persephone (to Victor): How about some tea and toast? You look like you could use something, you were pretty out of it when you got here. I haven't seen you that bad since... Well, since ever, really. I mean, it's understandable with everything that's happened but you probably should be a bit more careful where you drunkenly wander.
Victor (to Persephone): I think I can manage a bit of toast. Cheers. It has been awhile since I've been that pissed. ...Wait. I don't suppose I've ever been that drunk around you, have I?
Persephone (to Victor): Nah, you were usually too uptight for that kinda thing. You were always worried that you'd do something stupid like, skipping to some place you shouldn't & stealing girl's knickers or something. Heh. Which would be totally moo... and funny.
Victor (to Persephone): ...Why would I steal knickers? I was bloody odd before. And now I'm ruddy crazy. I'm not sure which is the improvement.
Persephone (to Victor): Sheesh. It was a joke, cousin o' mine. Here. Drink your tea.
Victor (to Persephone): Sorry. Yuki and I got into a big, ruddy bull an' cow last night, an' I... I dunno.
Persephone (to Victor): You dunno what?
Victor (to Persephone): ...I feel like I was better at being calm & rational before. Diffusing the situation, ya know? Now I just get cross & shout. All my feelings are right at the surface now. An' she's a former assassin. She innit sure how to cope with her own tangled up guts, let alone mine... I suppose it's only a matter of time before she'll stop wanting to try. Or we murder each other.
Persephone (to Victor): Well, do you wanna try to fix it with her or call it quits?
Victor (to Persephone): I love her, Seph. I'd be even more a miserable bastard without her.
Persephone (to Victor): So, go fix it, you idiot. I know, I know... You're right & she's wrong. I don't even care what the argument was about or who's right... One of you pig-headed bastards needs to be the grown-up. I know you're dealing with stuff, but she is, too. Relationships are about compromise & choosing your battles. Trust me, I know... Joe & I get into an argument, at least, once a month & sometimes, I even apologize, first. :-P
Victor (to Persephone): Yeah. Gimme a hug, cousin o' mine ... Remember when our lives were simple?
Persephone (to Victor): Umm, no. Our lives have never been simple.
Victor (to Persephone): Let me have my delusions, will you? Thanks for housing me for the night, and for the tea. I'm gonna head home.
Persephone (to Victor): Heh. Happy to help. See ya.
A few minutes later, outside:
Victor: Ohhhh... Ruddy 'ell. Walking is not my friend. Nor is the bloody sun! Oi! Turn it down, mate!
Joseph (to Victor): You heading out, Victor?
Victor (to Joseph): Yeah. Sorry to barge in to your flat last night. I was quite drunk. I'll be out of your hair in a moment. Hey. I need to make sure I won't open a portal into a lake or summit.
Joseph (to Victor): Heh. Yeah, you were pretty tore up, last night. I'll leave you to it. I was just down here mucking out the carriage before I took it back to the coach house down the street.
Victor (to Joseph): Thanks. I'll see you and Seph soon. Promise I'll be sober next time. Cheers.
Joseph (to Victor): Later.
A moment later, at Tesla's Monastery; Colorado Springs, Colorado, American Colonies:
Victor: Cor! Bleedin' Jesus and Mary! Inhibitor field an' hangovers do not go together. I need to lie down... (to Yukiko) Bloody hell! Yuki! ... Sorry. I wasn't expecting you to be in here.
Yukiko (to Victor): Shhhhhh... Your father was banging on something very loudly in the maintenance bay so I had to hide... My head is killin' me… I didn't think you'd be here, either.
Victor (to Yukiko): ... Can we stay the fight for now, and sleep off these massive hangovers together instead? Please?
Yukiko (to Victor): Yes, please... I don't really feel like fighting... Climb in... And, watch the ribs, they're a bit bruised.
Victor (to Yukiko): Bloody 'ell. You're a bit mad, you know that? I love you...
Yukiko (to Victor): I love you, too. I'm glad you came back. I have to admit I was a bit worried you wouldn't. I'm sorry for acting like an ass.
Victor (to Yukiko): You're not rid of me that easy, I'm afraid. I'm sorry I acted like an arse as well.
Yukiko (to Victor): Let's get some sleep, watashi no ai.
Several hours later, at The Slipper Room; Denver, Colorado, American Territories:
Craine (to Stella): Hello, Stella! How on earth are you keeping warm in that? Nevermind. I don't care. What do I need to do to get you in less? Or how about we get me in less? Either or. Or both. Let's go with both. Wait. Stella! Don't walk away! I've got questions. For a job. Legit and legal and everything. Well ... Maybe not *legal*.
Stella (to Craine): ... Fine, sweetie. What is it? And, if you try to look down my top one more time, Rocko will break your legs.
Craine (to Stella): Then why are you wearing that top? ...No! Wait! It doesn't matter. Have you seen either of these gentlemen? Or this lady? I drew those myself. Are you impressed?
Stella (to Craine): ... Is that supposed to be a woman, honey?
Craine (to Stella): What? Oh... No. THIS is the lady. See? She's got jubblies.
Stella (to Craine): Really? I thought that was a rabbit & those were its ears.
Craine (to Stella): ... If rabbits had ears that looked like that, I would have spent a lot more time hunting.
Stella (to Craine): I'm sure you would... And I think I saw that one here last night. He was in a mood & drinking to forget a fight with his girl.
Craine (to Stella): Oh? Was she here with him? Was she cute? How big a fight did they get into? "Let's spice up the relationship with a third" big?
Stella (to Craine): ... No, I don't think so. I tried to get him to come home with me & he said no. So, I don't think he'd be up for a third... I don't know what his girl looked like. Not that it would much matter with you, you pervert.
Craine (to Stella): What? You cut me to the quick! I have standards.
Stella (to Craine): Since when, honey?
Craine (to Stella): Since that weekend I woke up with lice, crabs, the pox, and half my head shaved. Eyebrow included. God that was fun!
Stella (to Craine): I'll tell Gwendoline you miss her, sweetie.
Craine (to Stella): Oh! Please do. And tell her I want my sock back. And ask her why she only nicked one of them. Who does that? ...Yeah. But tell her I said hi. So, the ginger... Does he come here often? God, I hope so.
Stella (to Craine): It's the first time I've seen him, sweetie. And, Gwen's making a quilt. Don't ask.
Craine (to Stella): I won't. I don't think I want to know. So our mystery boy doesn't come around much does he? Pity. There's something about redheads that makes me wanna bite 'em.
Stella (to Craine): Heh. To each his own, sweetie. Though, in this particular instant I wouldn't blame you. He was yumminess incarnate. ;-P
Craine (to Stella): I know, right? You should be sad you missed his little friends. That's a club sandwich I'd be willing to act as a plate for.
Stella (to Craine): ... So, are you sticking around? Should I clear & disinfect a table for you, sweetie?
Craine (to Stella): Disinfect?! ... I mean, yes. Please. If you'd be so kind. Tell Gwen I still have that second sock if she's interested. I have whole other pairs, in fact!
Stella (to Craine): Heh. She doesn't do repeats, honey. I'm sorry.
Craine (to Stella): Ah well. A boy can dream. ...And wind up half bald while on a battery of strong pox medication. 'Tis for the best, I suppose.
Stella (to Craine): Go on and get to your table. I'll send Jocelyn over to entertain you.
Craine (to Stella): Very good!
