In the brig, at Tesla's Monastery; Colorado Springs, Colorado, American Colonies:
Craine: Noooooobody knows the trouble I've seen! Nobody knows my annoyance. At being locked up. And not sexed up. I'm sure that's how the song goes-- (to Charles) They've got you bringing me breakfast today, eh? Heh. I was too much for Little Miss Interrogation Britches yesterday. It's true. I can be too much man to handle for ladies of a delicate constitution. Nothing that a big, strapping, sexy thing like yourself couldn't get REAL good handle on, I'd... Oh my GOD! Are you *blushing*? That is too precious for words!
Zoe: Heehee. (to Charles) Sorry about making you deliver the food, Charles.
Charles (to Zoe): I see what you mean, Miss. Thank you for warning me. (to Craine) Excuse me.
Zoe (to Craine): Behave yourself... And, here I was coming to tell you good news and I see you making poor Charles uncomfortable. For shame.
Craine (to Zoe): I didn't think blushing was a thing people did. And such manners! Can I keep him? I just wanna get corruption all OVER him. Ooo. You said good news. You're gonna join me in my cell. You're bringing along family members.
Zoe (to Craine): Heh. Keep dreaming... I was coming to tell you that Dad has decided to let you leave. We'll be setting sail in a couple hours and we can drop you off wherever you like. All we ask is that you tell your employer to stay out of this. She's done quite enough damage. And, if she gets involved in any way, well, she's made her bed... And, out of morbid curiosity/sick fascination has anyone ever actually taken you up on the whole family fetish thing of yours?
Craine (to Zoe): Just once. They SAID they were sisters, but judging on how horrified every other prospect has been, I'm beginning to suspect that might not have been the case. Of course, I didn't care at the time. Hell, I don't care NOW. Ahhh, Helga and Heidi... Lemme tell you, as far as ways to lose your virginity go, twin sisters/not twin sisters but really close friends ain't bad. Let me ask you this: do you think cousins would be more in to it? Would you go in for a three-way with your cousin? Would adding more people make it better or worse?
Zoe (to Craine): Heh... You are a very strange man. And, my cousin isn't into women, AT ALL. Trust me. Been there, done that. And, adding more people into the mix, just sounds way too confusing. You don't know what parts belong to what people. If you're not careful, you find yourself holding your own... Heh. You're not saying anything I haven't heard before. So, you can stop trying to shock or upset me. It's why I was picked as your keeper. The only one better would have been my aunt & she's not here.
Craine (to Zoe): Hey now. I was asking an honest question. Besides, most people are onboard for shocking, so long as someone else suggests it, and they're drunk enough to be able to deny responsibility for it. Heh. And holding your own can be fun, depending on what's going on that's worth watching. ...God, I love France. What were we saying? Oh yeah! My release. Since your father and brother and their unseen, sword-holding friend liberated my portal generator from me, a ride to New London would be great. Unless, you were going to return said generator...
Zoe (to Craine): We'll return it to you after we get to New London. Dad wants to make sure you can't use it to find us again.
Craine (to Zoe): Awww. You don't want to see me again? That hurts my feelings.
Zoe (to Craine): Heh. Don't worry. I have a strange feeling you'll be seeing us again. We're like bad pennies.
Craine (to Zoe): I'll look forward to it, then.
Zoe (to Craine): Heh. I wouldn't be so eager... C'mon. Let's get you settled on the Sister. You'll like it. There's a bunch of hotties crewing on it... Of course, none of them are available & one or two of them might kill you if you proposition them. I'll let you figure out which ones those are on your own... It'll be fun. ;-P
Craine (to Zoe): Heh. Sounds fun... In fact, sounds like how every my good night out starts. Except that one time last May. I'm not bleeding.
A short time later, onboard the Wicked Sister:
Yukiko (to Zoe): Would you bloody well hurry up, Zoe? I really want to test out the new stabilizers.
Zoe (to Yukiko): Damn it, we're coming! Hold your horses.
Craine (to Yukiko): Hello again. Nice to meet you face to face, sans the pointy implements of death. I must say, I MUCH prefer this view of you.
Yukiko (to Craine): Uh huh... Who says I don't have a pointy implement? So, did you learn anything useful in CLANNG like how to work on an airship? Because, this is a big ship & we could use an extra hand while you're onboard.
Zoe (to Yukiko): Oh come on, Yuki. He's our guest. And, you're not the Captain.
Yukiko (to Zoe): True... But, I sleep with the Captain. And, who do you think he'll listen to?
Zoe (to Yukiko): ... Dirty pool, old man.
Craine (to Yukiko): Heh heh. I figured you must be fucking the captain. No other reasons you'd be that bossy, bitty britches. I may know a few things. Like the reason that sidearm you're sporting fires to the left is because you need to take it apart and realign it.
Yukiko (to Craine): ... Oh? I hardly ever use it. It's more for show, really.
Craine (to Yukiko): Heh. I can tell.
A couple days later, at Greymalkin manor; Coventry, Britannia:
Una (to Craine): Well, hello again, Craine... I was beginning to think you had run off with the circus.
Craine (to Una): The circus?! God no! I can't handle clowns... With their stupid little hats. No, no no.
Una (to Craine): Calm down. I was attempting to be humorous. Clearly, I'm terrible at it. I was about to have dinner sent to my room & then have a hot bath… Would you care to join me for one or the other? Or possibly both?
Craine (to Una): Both! Or better yet, both at the same time. Bathtubs are the best places for meals. There's something obscenely decadent about eating naked. What was I... Oh yeah! Before I forget. I've got a bit of news, boss. Seems the ISS were the ones to take out CLANNG. No one seems to know for sure if the former director and her cohorts are dead for sure, but the chatter I heard seemed to feel that's the case.
Una (to Craine): I'm quite happy to hear all that… Let me ring down & have dinner brought up to the tub for us. I think champagne is in order.
Craine (to Una): Champagne is ALWAYS in order.
Una (to Craine): Heh… I'll have 2 bottles brought up, then. So, where have you been for the last few days?
Craine (to Una): Locked in a cell. It was NOT as sexy as I was hoping.
Una (to Craine): Oh? I'm sure it couldn't be all that bad.
Craine (to Una): It wasn't! That was part of the problem. It was the worst thing ever: DULL. They worked out I was working for you. I think.
Una (to Craine): … They did? Who was it?
Craine (to Una): Captain Potter and his kids. I ran into some of his tasty little brood at a bar. They seemed to know something, so I followed. A Zoe warned me to tell you to stay out of it.
Una (to Craine): Well, that was unexpectedly nice of her. I do plan to stay far away from it all… Did you see my sister?
Craine (to Una): No. Not at all. I saw the captain, his yummy son, Zoe, a tiny Japanese bird, and some burly blonde that blushed like a June bride. Was your sister there? I didn't see her at all! No fair!
Una (to Craine): ... I feel a tad insulted.
Craine (to Una): Why? What are we insulted about? Does this mean no steak, champagne or bubble baths?
Una (to Craine): I did not say tha-- Take off your clothes.
Craine (to Una): Yes, ma'am!
