A Strange Old World, Day 148

At Casino de la Renard; Nice, French Republic:

Ariadne: Fuck me with a spatula… What the hell is he doing here?

Ji Yong (to Ariadne): Are you unwell, Ms Fenris?

Ariadne (to Ji Yong): No… It's Roy. He just walked over to the bar.

Ji Yong (to Ariadne): ... I see. Would you like to excuse yourself for the evening?

Ariadne (to Ji Yong): No. I'm fine. Besides, I have Mr. & Mrs. Townsend to take care of. I promised to play cards with them… They've been cheating. I'm planning on getting the house's money back.

Ji Yong (to Ariadne): Very good. Let me know if there is anything with which you need assistance... That is Roy, is it?

Ariadne (to Ji Yong): Yes, it is… You're not going to do anything, are you?

Ji Yong (to Ariadne): Of course not... Unless you want me to.

Ariadne (to Ji Yong): No, that's all right… Just come here for a second, I want to be mildly inappropriate in public.

Roy: ...

Ji Yong (to Ariadne): ...Oh. Yes... That was... That was not at all appropriate ...But it was pleasant.

Ariadne (to Ji Yong): Heehee. Only pleasant? I must be losing my touch.

Ji Yong (to Ariadne): I wouldn't say so... I shouldn't keep you.

A short time later:

Ji Yong (to Roy): Is there something with which I may help you, sir?

Roy (to Ji Yong): Oh? I don't believe so. I was just looking for a friend of mine.

Ji Yong (to Roy): Of course. I"m sorry to have interrupted.

Roy (to Ji Yong): … So, you're Hari's fiancé? I have to admit, I was half hoping that she was simply making you up.

Ji Yong (to Roy): Yes. I am.

Roy (to Ji Yong): Ah, the strong silent type… I can respect that. You're very lucky… I should go. I see my friend at the corner table.

Ji Yong (to Roy): I can assure you, monsieur, that I am quite real... And, yes. I am a very lucky man. Good evening.

Sang Gi (to Ariadne): Hari, are you alright? You look like you're about to pass out from holding your breath.

Ariadne (to Sang Gi): … I'm fine. Can you please take these drinks over to the table where I was sitting? I need to take these winnings to Dyadya.

Sang Gi (to Ariadne): Yes, of course. You made out pretty good, huh?

Ariadne (to Sang Gi): Heh. Only as long as they don't realize I knew they were cheating. So, keep your big mouth shut. ;-P

Sang Gi (to Ariadne): Heh. Yes, ma'am… Let me get these drinks to them.

At Renfield's; West Piedmont:

Nathaniel: Sonofa... (to Mrs. Peter Jones) ...What?

Mrs. Peter Jones (to Nathaniel): That isn't anyway to greet your mother, Nathaniel.

Nathaniel (to Mrs. Peter Jones): What do you want, Ma? I'm kinda working here.

Mrs. Peter Jones (to Nathaniel): I know, sweetie. I'm sorry but I don't have your new phone number, and I don't know where you live...

Nathaniel (to Mrs. Peter Jones): Yeah. I know. What do you want?

Mrs. Peter Jones (to Nathaniel): I... I'm goin' back to Mississippi shortly... Are you still with that same ... that same man?

Nathaniel (to Mrs. Peter Jones): You mean, Aiden? Yeah. I am. Why?

Mrs. Peter Jones (to Nathaniel): I was hoping I could take you to dinner... Just dinner, Nate. I promise. I know you don't trust me, but I have no agenda. I love you, and I've been worried about you, sweetie. ...And I would like to meet Aiden. Will you meet me tomorrow?

Nathaniel (to Mrs. Peter Jones): You're asking more than a lot, y'know... I'll find out if Aiden is available, and I'll let you know tomorrow, alright?

Mrs. Peter Jones (to Nathaniel): That's fair. I'll talk to you tomorrow...

Nathaniel (to Mrs. Peter Jones): Don't ... I'll talk to you tomorrow.

Mrs. Peter Jones (to Nathaniel): Oh. I'm sorry. I'll talk to you then.

Nathaniel: Hell...

A Strange Old World, Day 147

On the streets; Nice, French Republic:

Roy Blondin (to Ariadne): Hari! It's been so long! Fancy running into you here. Where have you been hiding, you gorgeous little pixie?

Ariadne: … Balls! (to Roy) Hello Roy. What brings you to Nice?

Roy (to Ariadne): I bought a house here. I've been coming here for quite awhile during my off weeks. You're not trying to fleece people, are you?

Ariadne (to Roy): HAHAHA. No. I work at the Casino de la Renard near the beach. I was just going to the market. Totally innocent.

Roy (to Ariadne): Heh. Well, that's good to know… Care to have dinner with me, tonight? We can catch up on old times... On me.

Ariadne (to Roy): … We didn't have any old times, Roy.

Roy (to Ariadne): Heh. Well, we could make some… Come on. There's a lovely Italian place around the corner from my house.

Ariadne (to Roy): Look, Roy, it's a very nice offer and if you had shown up in town several months ago, I would have taken you up on it but, I'm engaged and don't think it would be appropriate…My fiancé is a bit on the jealous side. It was lovely to see you again.

Roy (to Ariadne): … Oh. Well, I'm sure I'll see you around. Perhaps, I can meet your fiancé sometime.

Ariadne (to Roy): Yeah, sure why not… See ya around.

Meanwhile, in Ji Yong's suite, at the Casino de la Renard; Nice, French Republic:

Ji Yong: Merde cette cravate...

Sang Gi (to Ji Yong): What's with you, mon frére?

Ji Yong (to Sang Gi): I can't seem to get my tie straight...

Sang Gi (to Ji Yong): Heh… Well, it wouldn't happen to have anything to do with you watching Hari talking to that man out the window, would it?

Ji Yong (to Sang Gi): ... I think perhaps my difficulty has more to do with my current state than any mental distress.

Sang Gi (to Ji Yong): My mistake. Here, let me help you with that. You wanna look nice before Hari gets back.

Ji Yong (to Sang Gi): ... Yes... I'm also returning to work tonight.

Sang Gi (to Ji Yong): Are you sure that's a good idea? You're still a little wobbly.

Ji Yong (to Sang Gi): I know, but my stitches are stable now. Besides, Henri has been coming in every half an hour or so to ask how he should handle some situation or customer, or to complain about something you're doing. I'm only planning on supervising. I'll take it gently.

Sang Gi (to Ji Yong): Stupid Henri… I haven't been doing anything that bad. He's just so particular. Speaking of which I should get down there. If you start feeling terrible or woozy, you tell someone, okay?

Ji Yong (to Sang Gi): Heh. Oui, papa. I will... Don't be distressed about Henri. He didn't like me when I first started working here either.

Sang Gi (to Ji Yong): I'll keep that in mind. See you on the floor.

Ariadne (to Sang Gi & Ji Yong): Whoa there, speedy...

Sang Gi (to Ariadne & Ji Yong): Sorry, Hari. I've gotta get down to work. Enjoy your night off!

Ariadne (to Sang Gi): Heh. Thanks. (to Ji Yong) Well, don't you look dapper. That's a really nice color on you.

Ji Yong (to Ariadne): ... Thank you. I'm afraid I won't be able to wear the jacket tonight. I couldn't get it over the cast and sling.

Ariadne (to Ji Yong): I don't think anyone will give you a hard time about your clothes. Are you okay? You seem a little distracted.

Ji Yong (to Ariadne): ... Yes. I believe so.

Ariadne (to Ji Yong): If you say so.

Ji Yong (to Ariadne): I've already promised Gee that I would alert someone if I felt ill. ... Who was it that you were speaking to on the street?

Ariadne (to Ji Yong): Huh? Oh, that guy… It was Roy Blondin. He's an acrobat with some circus. I met him a couple years ago on an airship. I had snuck on board pretending that I was a kid. When he asked me my name I accidentally picked his last name off the poster behind his head not realizing it was him or that he had made it up the last name. He was nice enough to pretend to be my brother so I could stay onboard. Apparently, he lives here.

Ji Yong (to Ariadne): Ah... That was kind of him.

Ariadne (to Ji Yong): Yeah, so kind… Heh. I think he was happy that I turned out not to be a kid. He asked me out to dinner. I said no.

Ji Yong (to Ariadne): Oh? I can't imagine he thought you were actually a child. I assume that was part of the reason he was kind enough to help you.

Ariadne (to Ji Yong): Yeah well, whatever his reason for helping, I'm just glad he did it. But, there's something about him that rubs me the wrong way. Possibly, his ego. He's quite taken with himself. Anyway, he's probably going to show up at the casino at some point. I told him I was engaged & that my fiancé was the jealous type in hopes that he'd back off. That just made him intrigued.

Ji Yong (to Ariadne): I'm sure I can scare him off if you wish, even in my current state.

Ariadne (to Ji Yong): Heehee. I'll leave that to your discretion. How do you feel about crêpes for a late dinner after work?

Ji Yong (to Ariadne): I would like that.

Ariadne (to Ji Yong): Good. I'll see you after work, then… Oh, and what do you want to do about our living arrangements?

Ji Yong (to Ariadne): ...Yes. My current lodgings aren't big enough for you and two babies. I should see to finding other accommodations.

Ariadne (to Ji Yong): We'll figure it out together. I just thought we could discuss it over dinner. Besides, what should we do in the meantime?

Ji Yong (to Ariadne): You could move in with me... If you'd like.

Ariadne (to Ji Yong): Oh, I could do that, if you'd like me to... What about Gee? Are you sure he won't mind?

Ji Yong (to Ariadne): I would be surprised if he does. I'm renting rooms from Mr. Rodchenko. He has his own room. He was also the one constantly advising me to marry you. Before you "wised up" is how I believe he put it.

Ariadne (to Ji Yong): Heehee... And, here I was thinking you were the one that was going to "wise up"... You should get going. You don't want to be late on your first day back. We can discuss all of this later. Have a good night at work.

Ji Yong (to Ariadne): I will. Good night.

Ariadne (to Ji Yong): Hey! Have you forgotten something?

Ji Yong (to Ariadne): Have I? I don't think... Oh. Yes. I have. I apologize... Good bye.

Ariadne (to Ji Yong): That's better. I'll see you later, handsome.

Ji Yong (to Ariadne): Je t'aime, l'amour de ma vie. Bonne nuit.

Ariadne (to Ji Yong): Je t'aime, aussi.

A few hours later, in the casino:

Ji Yong (to Henri): Yes. I am perfectly certain flirting with the patrons is part of Gee's job… (to Sang Gi) I see Henri is still being difficult.

Sang Gi (to Ji Yong): Yes... That man is so uptight, a straightjacket would probably be too loose for his taste. And, I've been behaving myself, even. Does he just not like anyone or is it personal?

Ji Yong (to Sang Gi): He is very ... detail oriented. It helps him run the casino floor, and keep track of the dealers... It may be because you're my brother. He was against Mr. Rodchenko hiring me. Perhaps he thinks you're an assassin as well.

Sang Gi (to Ji Yong): HAHA… That's a laugh. I don't look like an assassin other than the fact that I wear a suit. Heh. I should get back to work.

Ji Yong (to Sang Gi): ...Yes. Well. We don't all wear suits, you know.

Sang Gi (to Ji Yong): Heh. So far all the ones I've met wear 'em.

Ji Yong (to Sang Gi): ... True. Warn Henri that man at the end is trying to consume other patrons' drinks, please.

Sang Gi (to Ji Yong): Aye, aye.