On the street; New London, Britannia:
Zoe (to Winchester): No offense, Mister Fox, but I really don't understand why you're coming with me to the market for supplies. It seems a bit, I don't know, overkill.
Winchester (to Zoe): I'm not trying to cramp your style, little one. Your parents & brother seemed quite insistent that you take an escort. And, I was the only one available… Plus, I would much rather spend the morning with a lovely young woman shopping than do manual labor. Marguerite has already chided me once for the state of my nails.
Zoe (to Winchester): Uh huh… Who's Marguerite?
Winchester (to Zoe): The woman who handles my manicures. She is a whiz with a buffer and polish.
Zoe (to Winchester): Heehee. I'm sorry I asked.
A short time later:
Charles (to Zoe & Winchester): Good morning to you, Miss Zoe.
Zoe (to Charles): Hey Charles! Just here to pick up supplies for the ships. How are you?
Charles (to Zoe): I'm very good. Thank you. I'm a bit at a loss, to tell you the truth. Mrs. Longfellow kicked me out of... (to Winchester) I beg your pardon, sir. My name is Charles Turner... Um, is there something with which I can help you?
Winchester (to Charles & Zoe): Nice to meet you, Mister Turner. I'm just helping Miss Zoe with transportation of the supplies. Miss Zoe, I'll be over there supervising the loading of the cart, if you need me.
Charles (to Winchester): Y-yes. You too, sir.
Zoe (to Winchester): Thank you. (to Charles) Sorry about that, Charles. My family's being a bit paranoid.
Charles (to Zoe): It's quite alright, Miss Zoe. It was just a bit disconcerting. Do you need any help? Mrs. Longfellow insisted that, I believe the way she put it was, get the ruddy hell out of the kitchen and get some fresh air in my lungs.
Zoe (to Charles): Heh. I'm surprised you're here & not hanging out with George.
Winchester (to Zoe): Oh, um, she and Ms Dvorak have been working quite a bit.
Zoe (to Charles): Oh well, that's a shame. You're more than welcome to come hang out with me and… Mister Fox. Heh… You wanna try to ditch him? We could go do something fun.
Winchester (to Zoe): Oh. I-- I don't know if that's a good idea, Miss Zoe. Your friend seems, um... I can't think of a polite way to put it.
Zoe (to Charles): Heehee. You can say it, Charles. I won't be offended.
Winchester (to Zoe): Heh. It's not you I'm worried about offending.
Zoe (to Charles): You're worried about him? Heh. He's a pussycat. (to Winchester) Isn't that right, Mister Fox?
Winchester (to Zoe & Charles): Meow.
Charles (to Zoe & Winchester): Yes. Um... Of course. I apologize for assuming otherwise.
Winchester (to Zoe & Charles): It looks like the supplies are almost finished being loaded. Shall we return, Miss Zoe?
Zoe (to Winchester & Charles): Oh good… Charles, you want to come with?
Charles (to Zoe): If that's quite alright with you, Miss.
Zoe (to Charles & Winchester): Awesome. Come on, boys.
Charles (to Zoe): Heh. You reminded me quite a bit of your father when you said that.
Zoe (to Charles): … Gee, thanks… For future reference, that's not really something a young girl wants to hear, Charles.
Charles (to Zoe): Oh. I beg your pardon. I didn't mean it as an insult, Miss. It was just something in the way you... Oh. Right. Excuse me. Miss Persephone is constantly reminding me that I don't know very much about young ladies.
Winchester: Spare me from teenage prattle… I am clearly being punished.
Zoe (to Charles): Heehee. It's okay, Charles. You must be doing something right, if George likes hanging out with you. She's seems pretty cool.
Charles (to Zoe): Do you think so? I'm never quite sure... Oh. It's that terrifying man that was with Ms. Dvorak for tea the other day.
Zoe (to Charles): Who? The guy that looks like Fox's creepy uncle?
Charles (to Zoe & Winchester): Heh heh. Oh. Excuse me, Mr. Fox. Yes, that would be him. I've never heard someone use so much profanity in such a short period of time. That includes your cousin Nate, Miss Zoe.
Zoe (to Charles): Wow. That's a lot of swearing… And, he was with Ms. Dvorak? Weird.
Charles (to Zoe & Winchester): Yes. I believe she said she was trying to learn something from him. I do hope he doesn't become a regular at the Inn.
Winchester (to Charles & Zoe): … I think we should get this cargo and ourselves out of here a bit faster.
Charles (to Winchester & Zoe): I heartily agree, Mr. Fox. Please allow me to help you with that.
Winchester (to Charles): Thank you, Mister Turner.
Balthazar (to Winchester, Charles & Zoe): Hey. You. Yeah. You. I know you, don't I? Sure I do. Didn't think you'd go in for kids.
Winchester (to Balthazar): … I'm sorry, sir. I think you have me mistaken for someone else. (to Charles & Zoe) Why don't you continue on without me, children… I'm sure your mother will be anxious for your return. I'll finish loading up here.
Charles (to Winchester & Zoe): ... Yes, sir. Of course.
Zoe (to Winchester & Charles): Good idea. Come on, Charles.
Balthazar (to Charles & Zoe): Later, kids. (to Winchester) I don't think I'm mistaken. I tend not to forget-- faces.
Winchester (to Balthazar): Well, I must just have one of those faces… I get that quite a bit.
Balthazar (to Winchester): Somehow... I doubt that. So. Are you going to tell me, or are you going to continue to pretend I'm a FUCKING MORON?
Winchester (to Balthazar): Tell you what exactly? You haven't asked me a question.
Balthazar (to Winchester): Where I know you from you motherfucking, ass-ramming...
Fiona (to Balthazar & Winchester): Balthazar! Look who floated back to England. What's wrong, duckie? Run out of children to scare stateside?
Balthazar (to Fiona): Fiona. Hello.
Fiona (to Balthazar & Winchester): Hullo. What are you two lads blathering about? You wouldn't be trying to ruffle my pretty boy would you?
Winchester (to Fiona): I have never been more happy to see you, firebug. This gentleman seems to be under the misapprehension that we know each other.
Fiona (to Balthazar & Winchester): What? You you know this dandy lad? I shouldn't think so. Not unless you both get your nails filed at the same place. Is that it, Balthazar? Have you taken to manicures in your old age?
Balthazar (to Winchester): No. Must be my mistake then. I'm very sorry, Mister... What was your name?
Winchester (to Balthazar): I don't believe I said it, sir… But it's Fox.
Balthazar (to Winchester): Mister Fox... I'll remember that. For next time. (to Fiona) Fiona. Say hello to Agatha for me. If she's still alive.
Fiona (to Balthazar): Alive and more than kicking. You should pay her your regards yourself. I'm sure she'd be overjoyed.
Balthazar (to Fiona): HA HA HA! Yeah, I'll bet she would. Yeah. She would. Well... I'll be seeing you.
A moment later:
Winchester (to Fiona): Dear god, Fi… That man has got to be one of the most terrifying people I've ever run into & I've dealt with Carver before. I'd really like to know why he thinks he's seen me before. I think I would have remembered him.
Fiona (to Winchester): Mmm. Balthazar does tend to leave an impression. What is that gargoyle even ruddy DOING in London? Artemis isn't going to like this. Not one bloody bit.
Winchester (to Fiona): They have a history, I take it?
Fiona (to Winchester): He used to be her partner.
Winchester (to Fiona): Oh my... I take it they did not part on the best of terms?
Fiona (to Winchester): You met him. What do you think? I was just a wee thing, so I don't know the full story.
Winchester (to Fiona): I get the impression that he'd stab her pet parakeet, if he thought he would get something out of it.
A short time later, at the docks; New London, Britannia:
Zoe (to Charles): Are you okay, Charles? I realize that whole situation was a little um, off-putting.
Charles (to Zoe): I'm fine. Thank you for asking, Miss Zoe. Do you think your friend Mr. Fox will be alright?
Zoe (to Charles): Yeah, he should be just fine… And, he's not really my friend, per se. He's-- It's a bit complicated. Anyway, I'll let my parents know what's going on… Oh… my… Um… Why is Felix up there without a shirt on? That's not distracting at all.
Charles (to Zoe): What was that, Miss Zoe?
Zoe (to Charles): Huh? Oh sorry. I was rudely staring at one of my brother's crewman… And, I really shouldn't be objectifying him… But, damn!
Charles (to Zoe): Oh. Um, yes. Would that be the gentleman waving at you?
Zoe (to Charles): … Heh. Yeah, it would… This shouldn't be making me grin like an idiot.
Charles (to Zoe): Heh. I, um, I'll just excuse myself, shall I? Do be careful, Miss Zoe. Please give my regards to your family.
Zoe (to Charles): If you feel you must, Charles. Thanks for the help with loading the cart… You know, you should really go see George. I bet dollars to doughnuts that she would love to see you… Oh, and bring her some flowers when you do.
Charles (to Zoe): Do you... That wouldn't be too forward?
Zoe (to Charles): Trust me, Charles. She'll love it.
Charles (to Zoe): Oh? Oh. Heh. Thank you, Miss Zoe. I'll see you later.
Zoe (to Charles): Bye, Charles. Have fun!
A few minutes later, onboard the Wicked Sister:
Felix (to Zoe): Hello, pretty lady. Who is this young man you're bringing around? Trying to make me jealous?
Zoe (to Felix): What are you talking about? That's just Charles. He's practically family. My mom rescued him off an airship & he's been working at the inn that my aunt & uncle run… And, he has a young lady… Wait… Were you actually jealous? I can't even imagine that.
Felix (to Zoe): Heh. I wouldn't say "jealous." More like envious of other lads who get to spend time with you. So, this Charles, another foundling, eh? Heh heh heh. Your parents really DO make a habit of this sort of thing, don't they?
Delphine (to Zoe & Felix): And, who might be your parents, mon petite chou? … Watch where you point that thing. It might go off.
Zoe (to Delphine): You shouldn't be here! What do you want? And no, I'm not going to stop pointing this at you until you explain.
Felix (to Delphine): What can we do for you, Delphine. I can't imagine you're here trying to make trouble for me, are you?
Delphine (to Zoe): Heh. You are a feisty one, aren't you, ma jolie fille? (to Felix) No trouble. I'm just trying to find the Potters.
Zoe (to Delphine & Felix): Heh. Good luck with that. There's no one by that name on this ship… Don't let the plank hit you on the way off the ship… mon chere.
Delphine (to Felix & Zoe): Ooooh. I don't think the petite one likes me very much, Felix. Why do you think that is?
Zoe (to Delphine): I can answer that, easily. Cuz, you're a trollop that thinks she's smart simply because she uses her sexuality to manipulate men into doing what she wants… As if that's hard. Hell, I could even do it if I wanted to and I'm not even that pretty.
Delphine (to Zoe): Oooooh, you cut me to the quick, little one.
Felix (to Delphine & Zoe): Alright. Alright. Ladies, please no shooting one another. Delphine, I'm working for a Captain Harrison now. I can't say I know much about anyone named Potter other than by reputation. I can do some asking for you if you like. And YOU, pretty lady, are a very pretty girl. Which you should really know. ;-)
Delphine (to Felix & Zoe): I would appreciate that, mon brave cœur. I have some news that might be of interest to them… I'll leave you to your work and the pretty young thing. If I had known you were into that sort of thing, I would have changed my approach. ;-P (to Zoe) Stop glaring, mon petit chou. I'm just teasing.
Zoe (to Delphine): Go to hell, Delphine… (to Felix) I'll be in my quarters.
Delphine (to Zoe): Heh. She seems like a lovely girl, Felix… So, is she the reason you wouldn't take me up on my offer?
Felix (to Delphine): Heh heh. As if I would kiss and tell. What do you want me to tell the Potters if I find them? As charming as you are, mon cher, I'm not sure that will be enough to guarantee a meeting.
Delphine (to Felix): Just tell them that I had a run-in with Carver the other night & that his mistress wants to see me… To be honest, I'd really rather not do that and could use their assistance. No good will come of this. I'll be staying at the usual hotel.
Felix (to Delphine): I'll see what I can do for you, Delphine.
Delphine (to Felix): Bon soir, mon chere.
Felix (to Delphine): Be careful, cher. Carver is... Well, I don't need to tell you, do I?
A short time later, in Zoe's quarters:
Zoe: Stupid fucking Delphine with her terrible accent & dumb hair... I bet she isn't even really French & that her name is something like Dolores or Phyllis.
Felix (to Zoe): Here you are, pretty lady. I was wondering where you... Whoa. Watch where you aim that evil eye.
Zoe (to Felix): God damn, that fucking woman is awful… I can't believe you actually worked for her. And, the sheer audacity of coming here looking for my folks… I should have shot her.
Felix (to Zoe): Well, from the sounds of it, Carver and his boss are after her. That's enough to make anyone desperate, I'd wager.
Zoe (to Felix): … Good. They deserve each other.
Felix (to Zoe): Heh. Now who's jealous? I thought you could handle watching Delphine flirt with me.
Zoe (to Felix): I'm not jealous of that floozie. I just think she's awful.
Felix (to Zoe): Well, she is at that. Heh. ... What was all that nonsense you were talking earlier about not being attractive, hmmm?
Zoe (to Felix): Look, I know I'm not a beauty like Persephone, Yuki or my mom & I'm completely fine with that.
Felix (to Zoe): You don't believe that. You can't.
Zoe (to Felix): … Oh, um, I don't know what to say.
Felix (to Zoe): Heh. Why do you think I call you pretty lady, pretty lady? Because I can't remember your name?
Zoe (to Felix): Well yeah, there was that… I also thought you were just being flirtatious and possibly, delusional.
Felix (to Zoe): Heh. No, I'm not delusional that I know of, and I'm certain your name is Zoe. I was being flirtatious, however. That doesn't make it untrue. ;-)
Zoe (to Felix): Heh. Well, I'm just glad you think so.
Felix (to Zoe): Ha ha ha! I do, but I would have thought that rather obvious, pretty lady.
Zoe (to Felix): Felix, all humor aside… After hearing you say that, I think I could very easily fall in love with you. So, you better be fucking serious when you say that sort of stuff to me. Or I'm going to be very upset. It really sucks that my parents are talking about sending me & Lucas back to West Piedmont for our safety… with Percy. Because, I'd much rather stay on this side with you & everybody.
Felix (to Zoe): Heh. Well, pretty lady, as much as I'll surely miss your company, if it keeps you safe...
Zoe (to Felix): Oh. I was kind of hoping that you would want me to stay.
Felix (to Zoe): Of course I want you to bloody stay!
Zoe (to Felix): Well, why didn't you just say that, instead of trying to act all cool and unaffected? Sometimes, you can be so damn frustrating! You know that?
Felix (to Zoe): I'm... You're the one saying things like, "I could fall in love with you." How the hell am I supposed to take that?
Zoe (to Felix): Well, would it be better if I just blurted out that I loved you!?!
Felix (to Zoe): No! ...You don't, do you?
Zoe (to Felix): … Yes. No. Maybe? I don't know but I certainly feel like an idiot for bringing it up, now. So, thanks for that.
Felix (to Zoe): Oh for... Have some damn sense, girl! You can't fall in love with me! What the hell could I offer you? Half a rented bunk? Isn't that fine! Run away and marry me now!
Meanwhile, in the galley:
Yukiko (to Victor): Heh… Your sister & Felix are at it again. Did we fight that much when we first started dating?
Victor (to Yukiko): Heh. No, I don't believe so. I don't think I've ever fought that much with anyone that wasn't family. :-P
Yukiko (to Victor): Oh. Is that a good sign or a bad sign?
Victor (to Yukiko): Heh. Why? Would you like me to fight with you? Besides, we did have a couple of right solid rows, if memory serves.
Yukiko (to Victor): No, I don't want to fight with you… Though, I do recall the making up was quite nice, watashi no ai.
Victor (to Yukiko): Heh. Maybe we should just pretend to fight and skip right to the making up part?
Yukiko (to Victor): Heh. I like the way you think. Wanna skip us to my flat so we can be away from the yelling?
Victor (to Yukiko): Aye aye, boss lady. :-P
Meanwhile, in Zoe's quarters:
Zoe (to Felix): Wow! Do you really think I give a shit about that?
Felix (to Zoe): No. I don't! It doesn't mean you shouldn't!
Zoe (to Felix): What!?! Why should I? If you haven't noticed, I don't really have a horde of gentlemen callers wooing me for my hand in wedded bliss. Not to mention, the fact that up until a couple months ago I was living on the other side where I'm still considered a child & living at home with my parents. I realize that it's different over here but I am not getting married to anyone until, well, until Hell freezes over. And, I don't need anyone to fucking take care of me. If I want a place to live, I'll go get a job of my own and find one. I don't care what you do or don't have.
Felix (to Zoe): Oh. So I'm good enough for right now, am I? Damn good to know!
Zoe (to Felix): Wait. What? That is not what I meant at all… You just freaked me out with the whole running off and getting married comment.
Felix (to Zoe): Well, you freaked me out saying you were in love with me! I... I don't even know what the hell I'm so goddamn mad about!
Zoe (to Felix): HAHAHA… We're such fucking idiots. Can we please start over again or pretend the last 15 minutes didn't happen? Clearly, we both freaked each other out & we're just making the matter worse.
Felix (to Zoe): I... You... Heh. That's probably for the best. Whooo! You get me fired up like no one else, you know that?
Zoe (to Felix): I'm sorry. I don't normally get so riled up, either… It only ever used to happen with Ee-- Um, someone I knew a long time ago.
Felix (to Zoe): A "long time ago," eh? Heh heh. Who was this. The little boy whose heart you broke when you were still in pigtails?
Zoe (to Felix): No, not exactly… I don't really want to talk about that, right now. Can we try to talk about what just happened like two semi-rational adults, instead? I feel like we need to.
Felix (to Zoe): ... Alright.
Zoe (to Felix): I'm sorry I sprang the "L" word on you, it won't happen again. And, if you want to slow it down or stop seeing each other because of it, I completely understand & I'll respect your decision. I hadn't realized the connotations of what that might mean to you. Just to clarify, I wasn't expecting a marriage proposal out of telling you, I just wanted you to know how I felt. I didn't mean to freak you out. I really am sorry.
Felix (to Zoe): ... There's nothing to be sorry about, pretty lady. For what little it's worth, I'm sorry I shouted. I've seen plenty of girls, and lads, go off with the wrong sort, because they were in love. It doesn't end pretty.
Zoe (to Felix): Oh… Well, I don't know why you keep thinking you're the wrong sort, Felix. But, I guess it's easier to do that & doom any chance at happiness from the beginning than to get yourself hurt and heart-broken… So, who was she? Don't look at me like that. You don't get to be that bitter about relationships simply from watching other folks. Was she well-to-do and wanted to save you from your evil no-good ways?
Felix (to Zoe): Heh. Where would I find a well-to-do woman? ... She worked in the factory with me.
Zoe (to Felix): So, what happened?
Felix (to Zoe): There was a greengrocer who watched us eat lunch together every day. He kept bringing her little things: fruit, flowers. It went on for a month or so before he proposed. I can't blame her for saying yes. It was the only way she was getting out of that hellhole alive. She visited at first. Brought us all fruit or veg when she could. Her new mister didn't much like that.
Zoe (to Felix): Were you madly in love with her?
Felix (to Zoe): Heh. I thought the sun rose and set around her. The day she left, I was convinced it would never rise again. Last time she showed up, he'd beaten her pretty badly. I broke out of the company housing that night and tried to convince her to run off with me.
Zoe (to Felix): I take it she didn't go with you, huh?
Felix (to Zoe): Heh. No. She wasn't even tempted. She had a whole world of comfort that I couldn't offer her. Her husband caught us downstairs together. He shoved her, hit her in front of me... I nearly beat him to death. To tell you the truth, I most likely would have if Elizabeth hadn't hit me over the head with a wash basin.
Zoe (to Felix): … Oh, Felix, that's terrible. I'm sorry you had to go through all that.
Felix (to Zoe): It's alright. It was a long time ago, and really, I didn't need the Heartbreak of the Cotton Mill to be wary of all the horrors people do to each other in the name of "love." My mother alone could instill all those suspicions in a young man. Heh.
Zoe (to Felix): I know it doesn't necessarily mean much but I'm not with you until something better comes along... You're my something better. And, I'm not looking for a castle or a mansion. I'd live in a tent, as long as the person I was with made me happy. My mom once told me to be in a relationship because you want to be there not because you have to. It always stuck with me.
Felix (to Zoe): Well... I don't know what the hell to say to that.
Zoe (to Felix): How about 'Zoe, you're a pain in my ass but you might have a point there'? :-p
Felix (to Zoe): Heh. Well, you are a HUMONGOUS pain right in my ass. And, you might have a point.
Zoe (to Felix): Also, could you please judge me based on my own fuck-ups & not other people's? Honestly, I do enough stupid shit on my own.
Felix (to Zoe): Ha ha ha. Fair enough, pretty lady.
Zoe (to Felix): Heh. Thanks for talking to me about all that awkward stuff. I know it was probably odd for you but I appreciated it.
Felix (to Zoe): ...Odd it was. Heh. It may surprise you to learn this, but my last crew mates didn't much discuss things like that.
Zoe (to Felix): Well, I'd like to think that I'm not just your crew mate. It's silly, I know. :-p
Felix (to Zoe): Heh. Well, I certainly never spent time with any of them like I do with you.
Zoe (to Felix): I'd hope not. I've seen some of your former crew. They were a homely lot & that's being nice.
Felix (to Zoe): Ha ha ha! I don't know. Fat ol' Gerald had quite nice eyes...
Zoe (to Felix): Heehee. I'll have to take your word for it.
Felix (to Zoe): Of course, yours are nicer. Care to join me, pretty lady?
Zoe (to Felix): I'd love to, sexy man.
