At Poppy & Vincent's apartment; West Piedmont:
Amunet (to Marlena): Mars, seriously, you need to do something about your aunt. Please?
Marlena (to Amunet): What the fuck did she do, now?
Amunet (to Marlena): She had a 15 minute conversation with the guy I brought home last night & offered him breakfast.
Marlena (to Amunet): Was that Bradley?
Amunet (to Marlena): I don't know. Maybe… His name was Bradley? Really? What kind of name is that? Wait. That's not the point. I was trying to get him to leave.
Marlena (to Amunet): Look, I'm so fucking sorry that Aunt Poppy ruined your 'love & leave 'em' plan but, this is her house, in case you have forgotten. I can't just fucking kick her out. Not to mention, she's my aunt.
Amunet (to Marlena): Fine… Just don't come crying to me, when you & River are having sexy alone time & she comes busting in with cookies.
Marlena (to Amunet): … What kind of cookies?
Amunet (to Marlena): … You are a pain in the arse! You know that?
Marlena (to Amunet): Yeah. It's a fucking family trait. Look, I'll talk to her. Okay?
Amunet (to Marlena): Thank you.
Marlena (to Amunet): Oh? You mean, right this fucking second, don't you?
Amunet (to Marlena): Yes, please.
Marlena (to Amunet): Fine.
A little while later:
Marlena (to Poppy): Aunt Poppy? Whoa! Sword… Shit.
Poppy (to Marlena): Sorry, honey. I was just getting in some needed sword practice. Not really the same without your uncle here. What do you need?
Marlena (to Poppy): Well, this is fucking awkward. Amunet & I were just wondering how long you planned on staying here… with us?
Poppy (to Marlena): I'm not sure, sweetie. Oh! Am I cramping you & Amunet's style, so to speak? I'm sorry. I'm not quite sure what to do with myself… You know what? I'll go see about staying with your parents for awhile. Okay?
Marlena (to Poppy): … Fat Christ, no! Don't do that! That would be a terrible idea. Just… I don't know… Try and remember what you were like at our age.
Poppy (to Marlena): Honey, at your age I was an ISS agent working as an assassin and a protection detail for Tesla. I'm not really sure you want that. But, I know what you mean. I'll stay out of your hair.
Marlena (to Poppy): Thank you… Um, would you be interested in posing for me? It's not much but it'll give you something to do & I could use the practice.
Poppy (to Marlena): That's very sweet of you, honey. I would be honored. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'd like to get in some more practice.
Marlena (to Poppy): Oh yeah, sure.
Meanwhile, at Tesla's Monastery; Colorado Springs, Colorado, American Colonies:
Yukiko: Huh? Wha-- (to Victor) Victor... When did you get back? I must be losing my touch. I didn't hear you come in.
Victor (to Yukiko): Late. I was trying not to wake you. Either you were exhausted, or I'm getting sneakier. You hungry? I can get us something in the kitchen if you fancy it.
Yukiko (to Victor): Food would be lovely. Antony & I degreased the Falcon and started working on the new ship... She was so excited about it, we worked on it until quite late. How are you? Everything ok? You guys were gone for awhile.
Victor (to Yukiko): We were checking out the bunker, making sure no one had been nosing about... Dad's thinking with CLANNG and Maladori gone, if Una doesn't show any interest in it, we can ship the kids back there. I'm sure Tesla'll be happy to have them out. Everything was quiet an' empty. How we left it...
Yukiko (to Victor): That's good... Are you alright? You seem distracted.
Victor (to Yukiko): Yeah... No! I'm pissed, and confused, and I feel like I can't ruddy trust my own bleedin' folks! My cobbler feels like a basket of string snakes, an' I can't work out how to even start to untangle everything.
Yukiko (to Victor): ... Clearly, I'm missing something.
Victor (to Yukiko): ...No. Sorry. I'm talking nonsense. Nothing makes sense to me right now... Suppose I keep expecting something to change.
Yukiko (to Victor): ... Your mother's not dead, is she?
Victor (to Yukiko): ... I dunno what to say.
Yukiko (to Victor): So, that's a yes. Don't look at me like that. If you recall, she was the one that faked my death. I recognized the earmarks. She's got a certain style to her activities. Everyone does. Fiona always ties of her her bomb wiring a certain way. Fox used to leave a lacy handkerchief at a scene. Aiden... Actually, I'm not quite sure what Aiden did other than leave a scene in a pristinely sterile condition. Heh. Maybe that was it.
Victor (to Yukiko): Well. Glad to know I'm the only one having a problem believing my Mum did this to us.
Yukiko (to Victor): Geez, you sound like a spoiled brat. Do you honestly think your mother would do that sort of thing without weighing all the options? It is so incredibly obvious your mother loves you very much. I'm fairly certain she wouldn't have done this unless she thought she had no other choice. Put yourself in her place... Hell, I can & it would be rough.
Victor (to Yukiko): ...Yeah. I know all that, an' I know that my mum loves me. That isn't the... Nevermind! I'm gonna get some food in me. Sorry I woke you.
Yukiko (to Victor): You just want to be mad at her... Well, fine. I'll be sleeping down in the maintenance bay until you come to your bloody senses. Don't bother bringing me food, I'll scrounge something up for myself... I seem to have lost my appetite.
Victor (to Yukiko): Yeah! You're right. I've now has to live through my mother's death TWICE, and have to lie to just about everyone I know about including you & Seph! Being pissed while I try t'ruddy process all this shite, and not run off an' murder the head of the ISS is COMPLETELY irrational! Sorry to burden you wif my bad bloody attitude.
Yukiko (to Victor): ... REALLY!?! You want to make that argument to ME!?! My entire family thinks I'm dead, even the ones I liked. I have to live under an alias. I can't go to any of the places I used to, because I might be recognized. And, you're upset because your mother isn't really dead. Well, BOO FUCKING HOO. If I were in your shoes, I'd be jumping for joy, not wallowing in self-pity. I am so out of here.
Victor (to Yukiko): An' that innit my fucking fault, is it?! You know what? Don't bother leaving on my account. I don't gotta stay, do I? Cheers.
Zoe (to Victor & Yukiko): Victor? Yuki? ... I was bringing muffins...
Yukiko (to Victor): Roba. (to Zoe) I'm not hungry... I've got work to do.
Victor (to Zoe): ...No. Thanks. S'awlright. I'm goin' fer a walk.
Zoe: … This is SO not good.
An hour or so later:
Yukiko (to Fiona): FI! I'm taking the "Tiny Terror" for a test run, then a drink & possibly a fight. Wanna tag along?
Fiona (to Yukiko): Tiny Terror? Is that really what you're calling it. You are asking for trouble with that, girl. You had my attention at the most important word in that sentence. "Drink." What has your knickers in a twist this time?
Yukiko (to Fiona): Heh. Antony kept calling it that yesterday, saying we had to call it somethin'... And, my knickers aren't in a twist. I'm just trying not to kill my boyfriend after his big whiny, self-indulgent pity party he was having up in the room. I just want to forget about it and him for a bit.
Fiona (to Yukiko): Heh. Alright. Fair enough.
Yukiko (to Fiona): Good. I'll leave a note for Antony, so she knows what needs doing while we're gone.
Fiona (to Yukiko): Ha ha ha! You honestly think that girl will do anything other than get in trouble while you're gone?
Yukiko (to Fiona): ... Should we take her with us? Wait. No. That would probably get her in more trouble. Fine. No note, then. She can just worry that I'll show up, at any moment... And, I'm certainly not leaving one for Victor. He can go hang.
Fiona (to Yukiko): You wouldn't have to at any rate. He's not on the grounds.
Yukiko (to Fiona): Oh? ... Well, good, then. C'mon, let's get this ship in the air & see if it flies.
Fiona (to Yukiko): Heh heh. You really are shite at dealing with emotions aren't you?
Yukiko (to Fiona): Well, OBVIOUSLY.
A couple hours later, at The Slipper Room; Denver, Colorado, American Territories:
Stella Everett (to Victor): Well, hello there, handsome! Welcome to the Slipper Room. What can I get you to drink? Or would you like something else? Possibly some company? Though, you look like someone that doesn't need any help in that department.
Victor (to Stella): ..Well. This place has changed since the last time I was here. More than a bit. Heh. I'm just looking for a drink tonight, gorgeous. Thanks.
Stella (to Victor): Happy to oblige, sweetie. And, if you change your mind, just say the word… What's your poison?
Victor (to Stella): Two fingers of whiskey and whatever ale you've got handy.
Stella (to Victor): Of course, handsome. I'll be right back with your drinks.
Victor (to Stella): Cheers.
A couple minutes later:
Stella (to Victor): Here, you go… The show's about to start. If you're looking for some alone time, you may want to stay here at the bar. Unless, you want to be groped by dancing girls. ;-P
Victor (to Stella): ... Heh. As very tempting as that sounds, I'm not feeling up to being good company tonight. I've had enough of death and drama for a lifetime. Now all I'm looking for is drink.
Stella (to Victor): Heh. We have plenty of drinks, no death, and only theatrical drama, handsome. I'll keep the girls away.
Victor (to Stella): That's decent of you. Thanks.
Stella (to Victor): You're welcome… I just hate to see a sexy boy being morose.
Victor (to Stella): ... Heh. I'll be sure to keep me back to you, then.
Stella (to Victor): That's so very thoughtful… Oh ruddy Hell… If you'll excuse me, we seem to have some unwanted guests.
Victor (to Stella): Cheers.
A few moments later:
Winchester (to Stella): Before you say anything, Stella, We're just here for a drink. No fights, I promise.
Stella (to Winchester, Fiona & Yukiko): I'm fine with you & the giantess but the little one has been banned after the last time. She ruined the boss's birthday party & we lost three girls because they were injured in the fight.
Victor (to Stella): She'll behave. (to Yukiko) Isn't that right, Ms. Sato?
Fiona (to Yukiko): Hell's bells, Sato! We're running out of questionable places to drink.
Yukiko (to Winchester, Fiona & Stella): … I'll behave. It's not my fault that the bloke thought I was a working girl. He needed to learn a lesson about where he put his hands.
Stella (to Winchester, Fiona & Yukiko): Alright, alright. You can come in. But, I swear if you cause any trouble, I'll set Rocko on you and get you banned from every drinking hole in town. Git me?
Fiona (to Stella): She'll be a wee baa lamb. (to Yukiko) I don't think this is the place for you to blow off steam. (to Winchester) Why did we let you pick the pub, again?
Winchester (to Stella): You are a fabulous woman, Stella, a true paragon of your sex. Thank you. (to Fiona) Because, I offered to buy and you couldn't resist my smile, firebug.
Yukiko (to Fiona, Winchester & Stella): Sheesh. I'll be good. I promise.
Stella (to Winchester, Fiona & Yukiko): I shall believe when I see it. Your booth is available, Mister Fox. I'll send someone over.
Winchester (to Stella): Thank you. (to Fiona & Yukiko) Come on, ladies. Let's enjoy the evening.
Fiona (to Winchester): Heh. It's not your smile I can't say no to, lovely. I... Bloody hell. (to Yukiko) We should go.
Winchester (to Fiona & Yukiko): … Yes, that might be for the best. I didn't know he even knew about the place. Totally, my mistake.
Yukiko (to Fiona & Winchester): What? Why? We just got here. I haven't even had one ruddy drink.
Fiona (to Winchester & Yukiko): Come on. I know a bloke who runs what might be technically called a pub. There's beer. Of a sorts.
Yukiko (to Fiona): Fine… I just better be drunk before the hour is over or there will be blood.
Winchester (to Fiona & Yukiko): I'll catch up with you later, firebug. I'd like to see the floorshow.
Fiona (to Winchester): Of course. (to Yukiko) Come on, Sato. Let's go find you a fight.
Yukiko (to Fiona): Yes, please.
Winchester (to Yukiko & Fiona): Heh. I'm sure the entire club is breathing a sigh of relief… Have fun, my little ruffians!
Victor: Can I get another, please? Thanks!
Stella (to Victor): Is Esther treating you alright, sweetie?
Victor (to Stella): Esther is treating me just fine. Heh. The whiskey is doing one better.
Stella (to Victor): I'm very happy to hear that. You look less world weary than when you arrived, that's for sure.
Victor (to Stella): That's because I'm at the happy, pleasantly slightly knackered second drink. By drinks three and four, I'll remember why I started drinking in the first place. If past experience is anything to go by, that's when I'll get bleak. :-p
Stella (to Victor): So, we should keep you at the happy two drink phase for as long as possible then?
Victor (to Stella): I'm afraid it's too late for that. :-p
Stella (to Victor): Heh… So, how many drinks does it take to get you to come home with me, handsome?
Victor (to Stella): <cough> Wow. I'm, uh... I'm flattered, but I'm also engaged... I think.
Stella (to Victor): You don't sound all that sure of yourself. You just trying not to hurt my feelings? I'm not looking for a relationship, sweetie. You just look like you could use some sweaty sheet action.
Victor (to Stella): We had a fight. A big one. About my mum's death... And as good as a sweaty romp with a gorgeous girl sounds, I love her. Even when she is being an insensitive pain in my arse, and I'm being a surly dick.
Stella (to Victor): Sounds like you should be romping with your girl, instead of sitting in here with us, sexy.
Victor (to Stella): Heh. She'd have to stop being cross first. And I'd have to keep my temper. We're both a bit on the stubborn side. At any rate, I should get to bed soon. 'Ave a good night.
Stella (to Victor): Bye, handsome! Come back soon.
Victor: Bloody 'ell. That was some ruddy strong whiskey. I... I don't suppose Yuki wants me home just yet. I'd prolly just start a fight anyhow. Bloody 'ell... Heh... I think I can manage t'look after myself for one night.
