MANDARC//

Cedric? You 'round?

CEDRIC//

Ready Freddy.

MANDARC//

"Ready"...

"Freddy"...?

CEDRIC//

Ready Freddy.

It's just old slang.

Means I'm ready to listen.

MANDARC//

I saw Friday in the Haunt.

I was at a home with Aizen Stein & Newton.

Newton was cooking at the stove, not socializing with much of anyone.

It was an old wood-burning stove...in fact most everything seemed like it was out of the sixties or seventies or eighties.

Aizen Stein had a big old VW bus or something.

But Friday was upstairs, I had her over... well. After school?

We were hanging out. Like old times, but better. We were younger, I guess.

I was really happy to have her over, I felt I hadn't seen her in a long time. I was happy.

CEDRIC//

People in Elysion are time-shifted more often than not.

Take in what you see and try not to pass judgement on yourself.

This was her before she hurt you.

MANDARC//

Aizen Stein & Newton weren't supposed to know that Friday was there.

I was trying to keep her a secret.

-- Something about bunk beds? I don't know.

I think I was trying to hide her on an upper bunk. We were watching TV or something.

But it felt somewhat inevitable; they were going to find her. But I wasn't overly worried. I knew Friday would handle it with silver tongue.

I... don't remember the rest, actually. Now that I try to reach for it.

MANDARC//

I honestly just feel guilty that I was being so... amenable to Friday.

CEDRIC//

It's not a big deal -- try to cut yourself some slack.

People in Elysion are different than they are here.

MANDARC//

Well, I want that Friday instead.

MANDARC//

I just don't understand the point. Why show us these things?

Has Vince ever told you?

CEDRIC//

Maybe it's respite, maybe it's a teaching experience.

Maybe it's medicine, maybe it's prophecy --

MANDARC//

You think I'll get Friday back?

CEDRIC//

Do you want her back?

MANDARC//

...Not really.

CEDRIC//

It might be alternate timelines, instructive on how we should live our lives in the here and now.

There's probably another place where Friday didn't betray you; where she didn't steal your dog and run away with someone else.

At least here, Dexx is back with you.

MANDARC//

I don't know what the Master would do without Dexx.

The two have bonded really well this time around.

CEDRIC//

Cute.

MANDARC//

On that note, I hear you have two new kittens.

CEDRIC//

AVAEL babbling about our cats again?

Yeah, just the two.

MANDARC//

'Just' the two?

I'm surprised you wanted any.

CEDRIC//

I didn't. Just...

Two is a small litter as far as cats are concerned.

Not to mention the timing is all off. Cats usually give birth in the spring.

MANDARC//

She's an indoor cat now, right?

So the seasons might be off as far as she's concerned.

CEDRIC//

She goes in and out but mostly inside.

MANDARC//

So there you go.

CEDRIC//

...Yeah. I guess.

MANDARC//

I wouldn't worry about it. Take it as a good omen instead of being such a Debbie Downer.

CEDRIC//

...You should talk.