On the street, near the Longfellow bunker, The Tombs: New London, Britannia:
Nathaniel (to Luc): ...Can I help you with somethin'?
Luc (to Nathaniel): Not that I'm aware of... Is there a problem?
Nathaniel (to Luc): I dunno... Is there? Not to sound like a stereotype, but you ain't from around here.
Luc (to Nathaniel): Oh really? What gave it away? My suit? My manners? My ability to talk in coherent sentences?
Nathaniel (to Luc): Your fucking attitude? The arsenal of weapons you've got? Who can say? Who the fuck are you & what the hell do you want?
Luc (to Nathaniel): <sigh> ... Look, I'm just trying to find someone. I swear she went this way. A little girl with a rabbit. Seen her? As soon as I find her, I'll be out of your hair.
Nathaniel: Shit... What the fuck is Starling doing nosing around? (to Luc) ... Nope. Good luck with that. Later.
Luc (to Nathaniel): ... And, good day to you, too. (to Starling) Pssst, Starling! Where the bloody hell are you? I know you came down this alley. Are you trying to upset me?
Starling (to Luc): You are very loud and sloppy, sir. Mister Jones shouldn't have seen you. You should go back to the house, I'll finish the task the Professor sent us to do. Clearly, you are distracted... Besides, Mister Carver doesn't like you very much.
Carver: <hiss>
Luc (to Starling): ... Fine. Have yourself a grand ole time.
Starling (to Luc): We would if we could, sir. Sadly, we're under strict orders not to play with anyone.
Luc (to Starling & Carver): ... You are both incredibly disturbing. I'll see you back at the house.
Carver: ...
A minute later:
Luc (to Nathaniel): ... Mister Jones? I highly recommend you not follow Starling. She's under orders not to play but that doesn't mean she won't kill you quickly. She's not doing anything that involves you or your family. I'd stay out of it if I were you.
Nathaniel (to Luc): Yeah. I'm familiar with how Starling follows orders. I'll keep my distance ... Why are you warning me?
Luc (to Nathaniel): ... I, honestly, have no idea. It's not like me at all.
Nathaniel (to Luc): ...Well, whatever your reason, thanks.
Luc (to Nathaniel): You're welcome... My name is Luc Vadrouiller, since we're being civil to one another.
Nathaniel (to Luc): ... Nate. You'll forgive my manners if I don't shake your hand. You work with Starting, and CLANNG jus' loves that poisoned barb in the palm trick or to shock someone when they get too close...
Luc (to Nathaniel): Fair enough. But, just to let you know, I never worked for CLANNG. Not that you'd believe me, anyway.
Nathaniel (to Luc): Heh. Well, that makes one of us at least...
Luc (to Nathaniel): ... Oh? I didn't rem-- know that. You're not at all what I was expecting. I was told you were less capable & more whiny.
Nathaniel (to Luc): I could always be lying... What is it exactly that you think you know about me?
Luc (to Nathaniel): Not much. Just that you're the Potter's nephew & you spent most of your time in West Piedmont because this side upset you. Heh. I guess that was completely wrong.
Nathaniel (to Luc): ...So, who does that make you, Mr. Vadrouiller?
Luc (to Nathaniel): Oh? I'd be your cousin, sort of. My father was Thaddeus Von Clegg. Well, that's what Maladori told me, anyway.
Nathaniel (to Luc): Huh... Welcome to the family, then.
Luc (to Nathaniel): Oh uh, thanks, I guess. I hate to break up the family bonding time but if I don't get back before Starling I'm going to be in trouble with the Professor.
Nathaniel (to Luc): ...Watch your ass with Maladori. If she's keeping you around, it's not for your benefit.
Luc (to Nathaniel): I know... She hardly ever wants to see me. See ya 'round, tough guy.
Nathaniel: Well, shit... (to Luc) Later.
In the Longfellow bunker, The Tombs: New London, Britannia:
Zoe: Who goes there? (to Nathaniel) Oh! Hey Nate. Tired of your posh life above ground? I have some lovely subterranean real estate to sell. :-p
Nathaniel (to Zoe): Yeah. I've been looking to get a nice case of rickets. Got anything SUPER dank with no windows?
Zoe (to Nathaniel): Heehee. Maybe… Seriously though, what brings you down here?
Nathaniel (to Zoe): Is your mom or dad around?
Zoe (to Nathaniel): Mom is giving Victor a refresher course in, well, everything & Dad is in the kitchen staying out of the way. And, I shall continue to languish here until Yuki relieves me from guard duty.
Nathaniel (to Zoe): Alright. I suppose I should go see Aunt Poppy, then. Wish me luck.
Zoe (to Nathaniel): Heh. You, my friend, like to live dangerously. I would have picked my dad. He's the nice one. :-p
Nathaniel (to Zoe): Yeah. But your mom's the tactician, isn't she? Catch you later.
Zoe (to Nathaniel): Bye.
A short time later:
Nathaniel (to Poppy & Victor): Am I interrupting?
Poppy (to Nathaniel & Victor): Yes, but I think Victor would welcome the distraction... (to Victor) Your form is sloppy, honey, I could have killed you, at least, seven times. Ask Yuki... No better make it Zoe or Felix to practice with you.
Victor (to Poppy): I warned you I was out of practice, Mum. The only fights I've been in for years are street scraps. (to Nathaniel) Save me.
Poppy (to Victor): That is no excuse. Street scraps are sometimes more dangerous than fights with skilled professionals. They're more unpredictable. Zoe & Felix are both good at thinking outside the box during a fight. It'll be good for you... (to Nathaniel) What do you need, Nate or did you want to join in?
Victor (to Poppy): I didn't say they weren't, but there was a lot less focus on forms, and a lot more trying not to get yer eyes gouged out… Alright! Alright... I'll try to beat up my sister or the first mate instead.
Nathaniel (to Poppy & Victor): Heh. I was just gonna tell you about the weird-ass run in I had outside.
Victor (to Nathaniel): ...What kind of weird ass encounter?
Nathaniel (to Poppy & Victor): He said his name was Luc Vadrouiller. He was here with Starling. Warned me to stay away from her.
Poppy (to Nathaniel & Victor): Oh? Well, that's very interesting, honey... I think he might need to be rescued. I get the feeling his heart might not be into whatever Maladori has planned... Besides, family should stick together, don't you think?
Nathaniel (to Poppy & Victor): Well, he said his dad was von Clegg... That's not what you're talkin' about, is it?
Poppy (to Nathaniel & Victor): Heh. No, I believe he's more closely related to us than that, isn't that right Victor?
Victor (to Poppy & Nathaniel): No... (to Poppy) Heh heh. I shoulda known you would've sussed it out too. What do we do?
Poppy (to Nathaniel & Victor): I'm not sure yet. But I get the distinct feeling that Maladori is going to use him as leverage, so we don't try and stop whatever she's got planned. Otherwise, why tell us about Lucas.
Nathaniel (to Poppy & Victor): Couldn't we just, I dunno, grab him and head someplace Maladori doesn't know about?
Poppy (to Nathaniel & Victor): Where do you have in mind, honey? Don't look at me like that. If you make the suggestion, reason dictates you've got an idea.
Nathaniel (to Poppy & Victor): ... Dunno. His info about me seemed outta date. He thought I was still in West Piedmont. Maladori might not know Aiden's connected to me, and he's got that brownstone that belongs to "Liam."
Poppy (to Nathaniel & Victor): I'll keep that in mind, honey. I'll leave you two alone now so Victor can complain about me. ;-p
Victor (to Poppy): Heh. I can start doing that right now, if you'd rather.
Poppy (to Victor): No, I don't want to impede your rant by giggling, honey.
Victor (to Poppy): Ha ha ha! Fair enough. I'll start practicing with Zoe or Felix tomorrow. I love you, you ruddy slave-driver.
Poppy (to Victor): I love you too... (to Nathaniel) And, that goes for you too, honey.
Nathaniel (to Poppy): Heh... Yeah, yeah. Later, Aunt Poppy. (to Victor) You really gonna start complaining about your mom to me.
Victor (to Nathaniel): Heh. No. Not really. Don't get me wrong, she's grinding my arse. Cor! I'm gonna be sore tomorrow...
Nathaniel (to Victor): Heh. Yeah you are. You gonna tell me how Mr. Arrogance is related to us?
Victor (to Nathaniel): ...I'm not exactly sure yet.
Nathaniel (to Victor): Heh heh. I can see what your mom meant. You are fuckin' cagey.
Victor (to Nathaniel): ... Whatcha mean? Cagey? My mum was talking to you about me?
Nathaniel (to Victor): Yeah. She's worried cuz you aren't talking to her like you used to. You hardly EVER kept anything from your folks. Aunt Poppy asked me to talk to you and make sure everything was OK. She figured you weren't telling her everything cuz you were trying to protect her and your dad.
Victor (to Nathaniel): ...What? Really?
Nathaniel (to Victor): Ha ha ha! Yeah. You always said there was no point. It could be kinda annoying, actually.
Victor (to Nathaniel): I'll bloody well bet! ...It's alright. I'll talk to my mum. You can tell her I'm alright if you talk to her before then.
Nathaniel (to Victor): I will. I gotta get home. Let us know if you need our help.
Victor (to Nathaniel): We will. Cheers.
