In the kitchen, at Aiden's house; New London, Britannia:
Mrs. Esterly (to Nathaniel): Good heavens, Nathaniel! I wasn't expecting you boys to be back in New London so soon.
Nathaniel (to Mrs. Esterly): We're not just yet. Should be soon, though. Sorry for calling so early, but your light was on, so I figured you were up.
Mrs. Esterly (to Nathaniel): Hee hee. You know I'm always up early, dear. Old habits and all... Let me get you some tea and a scone. I don't suppose this s a social call, now is it?
Nathaniel (to Mrs. Esterly): No, ma'am... I need to look for something in my files.
Mrs. Esterly (to Nathaniel): Here you are… Are you sure that's wise?
Nathaniel (to Mrs. Esterly): Probably not. But I don't think I got any better options at the moment.
Mrs. Esterly (to Nathaniel): I didn't suppose you had, dear. They're in the hallway closet. I thought you might want them soon, so I kept them handy. I've tagged the files you may want to avoid the most. Blue for this timeline, and red for the time you were with CLANNG.
Nathaniel (to Mrs. Esterly): Thanks.
Mrs. Esterly (to Nathaniel): Sweetheart, you do realize that once you open this box, it's very likely I won't be able to shut it again?
Nathaniel (to Mrs. Esterly): ...Yeah. I know.
Mrs. Esterly (to Nathaniel): Alright then. Now, eat that scone and tell me how Lilian is doing. It's been duller than ditch water without her underfoot.
Meanwhile, in the carriage house:
Joseph (to Persephone): Seph? What are you doing? We've still got an hour before we have to be up.
Persephone (to Joseph): Shhhh... Go back to sleep, sweetie. I heard the perimeter alarm go off a little while ago. I was just checking the grounds. I think it was Nate... Or at least, I hope it was. I'm going up to the main house & I'll start some coffee.
Joseph (to Persephone): <yawn> Uh huh... I'll be there, eventually. zzzZZZzzz
Persephone (to Joseph): Heehee. My brave warrior.
A couple minutes later, in the kitchen:
Mrs. Esterly (to Persephone): Good morning, dear. Come to see what all the fuss was about?
Persephone (to Mrs. Esterly): Heehee. Yes, and to make coffee for Joseph. We've got a big day... I get to go and meet both of his parents. I have to admit I'm a bit nervous.
Mrs. Esterly (to Persephone): I shouldn't be surprised that you're nervous. Let's get that coffee started, then. Don't worry. They'll love you, I'm sure. And don't fuss about the alarm. It was only Nathaniel stopping in to pick up something.
Persephone (to Mrs. Esterly): Heh. I thought as much... And, thank you.
Mrs. Esterly (to Persephone): Not at all. It's true. Looks like your coffee is done. Would you like some scones as well?
Persephone (to Mrs. Esterly): Yes, indeed... So, is everything alright?
Mrs. Esterly (to Persephone): I don't know. I think it's best we assume everything is alright for right now. Besides, you don't want to into a tizzy right before an important meeting do you? ... Oh dear. What are you going to wear?
Persephone (to Mrs. Esterly): ... I hadn't really thought about it. Will you help me?
Mrs. Esterly (to Persephone): Of course, dear. Don't worry. I'm sure between the two of us we can find something suitable.
Persephone (to Mrs. Esterly): Thank you... Heh. I think I may be a tad more nervous than I thought.
A little while later, onboard the Wicked Sister:
Hiiri (to Felix): Well, hello there... I have to say this was not at all what I was expecting when I woke up this morning. Bars, yes. Guns or swords pointed at me, sure. But, a very attractive partially clothed man, not at all.
Felix (to Hiiri): ...You must be Hiiri.
Hiiri (to Felix): Sadly, it's the only name I have. I have to admit I'm a bit jealous that Zoe got her own name. No one ever thought to do that for me. Heh. It probably wouldn't cause men to shake in their boots if I went around being called Mildred or Alice... So, who are you? Or does Zoe make a habit of taking strangers to bed?
Felix (to Hiiri): I believe Zoe asked the Mister and Missus for a name of her own. ...I'm Felix, the first mate. Speaking of which, I have duties to see to. I'll let the Captain know you're up and about.
Hiiri (to Felix): Aye, aye, First mate Felix! I suppose I should get dressed.
Victor (to Felix & Hiiri): FELIX! Are you alright? I can't find Zoe! She's not... Oh bloody 'ell. Really, you two? What is with our ruddy family? Have we got Spanish fly in our genes, or sumfin'?
Felix (to Victor): You're hardly any better, Captain. (to Hiiri) Miss Hiiri, it was -- interesting meeting you.
Hiiri (to Felix): Heehee. Next time, we'll handle the introduction with clothes on, all nice & proper. (to Victor) Nothing happened, Captain. Zoe's asleep, safe & sound. I just woke up... And, bravo for the sexy first mate. The one you have back home is ugly with a capital UG. Henderson... Herman... Herndon... No, it's Mister Heron.
Victor (to Hiiri): ...Mmm. What a shame the other me won't win Prettiest Pirate Crew of the Year, then. I suppose we should get to the mess see about making us breakfast. We've still got a few hours before we reach our destination. Nate's going to meet us there.
Hiiri (to Victor): Oh? So, no more brig?
Victor (to Hiiri): ... Why? Is that where I should be putting you?
Hiiri (to Victor): No... It was just a simple question. I'm sorry. I keep forgetting that you don't like me very much... My Victor, well, he's not really my Victor. But, you know what I mean, he's always flirting & friendly with me. Of course, he's like that with everyone. He's got quite a reputation. Heh. I don't know how his girl, Rosamund can deal with it.
Victor (to Hiiri): ... <sigh> Look. Zoe has already agreed to this, and Nate thinks you're telling the truth. Aside from Aunt Mouse, he'd know Hiiri the best, so I'm following their lead. Zoe is my sister, so you'll forgive me for being more than a tad suspicious. Hiiri has fucked with our family in more ways than you can imagine, and she's used Zoe to do it... I worry about her. Shite... I forgot. Zoe usually cooks. Looks like everyone is getting eggs.
Hiiri (to Victor): I understand. I know it doesn't mean much, but I am just trying to help... I can cook, if you like. I had a very excellent teacher. She would make these things called empanadas. So, good... She said she learned them from-- Nevermind. You probably don't want to hear about that sort of thing. I'll just shut up, now. Eggs would be lovely.
Victor (to Hiiri): It's fine. I've had empanadas before. I never had a chance to learn to make them, though. Where'd you learn?
Hiiri (to Victor): My adopted sister taught me. She learned it from her mother, she thought Marlena should know her father's heritage. Look, let's get one thing cleared up, I hate Hiiri as much as anyone. I hate the fact that I have her name & took over for her when her automaton body was destroyed by the ISS. But, I'm not her. Okay?
Victor (to Hiiri): Mars never met her dad?
Hiiri (to Victor): No... It's complicated. Miss Emmeline raised Marlena & me under the watchful eye of Maladori and CLANNG. I was being groomed to take Hiiri's place. Your dad found out about us a couple years ago. Your uncle had been living with a clone all that time. Miss Emmeline asked Victor to leave it alone & not to tell Eep, since he & Emma had a nice quiet, normal life. Your dad did not take it at all well... It got kinda ugly.
Victor (to Hiiri): Yeah. I can imagine... Mars lived with her mum and dad here. I can't fathom her not knowing him. They're just alike. She wouldn't admit it, but he's the reason she paints I bet. Wait. You said Aunt Mouse raised you? You weren't in stasis?
Hiiri (to Victor): Stasis? No... There's was a malfunction with the stasis pods. All the clones, except for the one that is in West Piedmont & myself were destroyed. Maladori shut down the project. We're the only clones running around. Though, I wouldn't really call it running. More like briskly walking... That was a joke.
Victor (to Hiiri): ... The project went ahead on this side. The clone living with Uncle Eddie was killed when they found out what she was. One of the Hiiris killed all the other versions except one. Zoe got abandoned cuz she was "defective."
Hiiri (to Victor): Oh... Well, hurrah for my "defects" because back home that's what saved me. And, I should apologize for being kinda scary when I first arrived. Nate warned me that the Hiiri chip might subvert my behavior, but they did some sort of mumbo jumbo so I could be myself... I think that's why Zoe has to be asleep. It tricks the chip into thinking it's not time yet.
Victor (to Hiiri): Yeah. It certainly didn't help your case, I'll admit. I think the same thing happened when Zoe and I met the first time... If everything you're saying is true, then how do we help her? How can we that chip from activating?
Hiiri (to Victor): Get one of your smarties to figure it out. They probably didn't even know it was there. I'm sure they can do it. Have faith.
Victor (to Hiiri): ... That's incredibly helpful. Thank you.
A couple hours later, in the library, at Tesla's Monastery; Colorado Springs, Colorado, American Colonies:
Nathaniel: <sigh> Guess I should get started on these bitches...
George (to Nathaniel): Oh... Pardon me, Mister Jones. I didn't realize anyone was in the library.
Nathaniel (to George): Jesus Christ! George! Oh... Shit. Sorry. Digging through this crap's got me on edge.
George (to Nathaniel): It's alright. I was just looking for a quiet place to read. I didn't mean to disturb you... Are you okay?
Nathaniel (to George): ...Honestly? I've been better. Digging through old shit I'd rather fucking forget. How are you feeling?
George (to Nathaniel): Better than I was... But, quite frankly, I'm tired of people asking me. Eva said it's going to be a couple more weeks before it's fully healed. Why are you looking through all of these files, if you don't mind me asking?
Nathaniel (to George): Fuck. I dunno how to tell you this, but somebody's gotta... A version of Zoe from another dimension showed up.
George (to Nathaniel): Oh? What does that mean for everyone?
Nathaniel (to George): Dunno... In her time, your dad took you to this island of stable portals. It grounded all the skippers, and fucked the timeline. She said somebody is trying to recreate his experiments here. The other timeline's version jumped into our Zoe to ask for help. I'm digging through this shit, cuz when I was in CLANNG, I remember Hiiri talking about it.
George (to Nathaniel): Oh? Um, I'll leave you to it, then.
Nathaniel (to George): I'm sorry, George.
George (to Nathaniel): ... I wish I could say it surprises me. I'll just grab a book & go to my room. Good night.
Nathaniel (to George): Yeah. Doesn't keep you from hoping it's gonna be different, does it? ...Night. You know, I think Chuck is still awake. If you need company.
George (to Nathaniel): I think I just want to read for a bit & go to bed. Thanks, though.
Nathaniel: Shit... I remember that, now. Jesus. If I read any more of this shit, I'm not gonna be able to get to sleep tonight. (to George) Can't say I blame you.
