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At
From Hell Court:
Abberline *makes a half-hearted attempt at
finding the gypsy, but he's nowhere, and he knows how easy it is to disappear at the Court with its shady taverns and dark
alleys. He stops for a smoke, still haunted by the words and visions, trying
to decipher them and understand where all those hallucinations came from, but he knows why they came into his mind, it must
be his own damned conscience talking, and he hears Crane's words again, and they begin to sound like an accusation to him.
Kat needs looking after. Someone's
got to do it. And Dimitri ... She wants
more than anything a man who truly understands her .... Of course
she does. Who wouldn't. So she still
has to find that someone .... and to avoid the voices, he opens the door to a
very shabby dark place, the steps leading directly to a dimly lit cellar, a familiar place to him, there are no couches, only
dirty mattresses on the floor, and each one of them seems to be occupied, he buys a pipe, with the assurances that it’s
good stuff, but he doesn't listen, he walks to a dark corner where the bulb hanging from the ceiling has burned out, there's
a mattress occupied by some stoned guy, and he simply kicks the idiot away and takes the place, and tells both Crane and Dimitri
to shut up, because he isn't going to have to listen to them anymore.*
*A pretty but oddly dressed
young girl stands gazing sadly at Abberline. Softly she calls to him* Father? Come away, I need you to be strong. Please
Father, don't leave before I'm even born. *There's a shimmer in the air around
her for a moment; she pauses.* Father, answer me. I haven't much time.
Abberline *drifts off into
a pleasant haze, and the voices stop talking in his head, but after a while it begins again, now it is neither Crane nor Dimitri,
it is a female voice, a girl, speaking in soft voice, calling him Father … He manages to open his eyes, but the opium
seems to have created hallucinations in his mind, because he sees a girl looking down at him, it has to be a hallucination
or a dream, she is too beautiful for the dirty den … And he knows that she is just a dream when the air around her seems
to shimmer, and he slowly starts to understand that she is pleading to him. Father? Now he feels wide awake, stares at her in the dim cellar, she seems to be surrounded
by light, and though he knows she really doesn't exist, that she is just a beautiful dream, he reaches his hand out for her* Chiana? Oh gods, you are Chiana …
What does this mean? Help me, Chiana, help me to be stronger ... *and he struggles
into a sitting position, still staring at his beautiful daughter, the one who he has been waiting for, and he looks sadly
at her* I am trying, but I always fail ...
Chiana: But you don't always fail. *Takes his
hand* When I was little and Raven and I were still together he told me about
you and mother. That you were a good man who always tried to do what you thought
right. That's not failing. You only
fail if you give up and stop trying. *Looks pleadingly into his eyes* I don't have much time, I can't explain everything. So you
have to listen and try to have faith in what I tell you. The future is changeable,
that's why I'm here. You have choices to make and what you do tonight can change
all of our futures. In the future I'm from, you give up here and die here tonight.
Mother goes into premature labor and though I survive the birth, whatever healing
gift I possessed dies with you. *Sorrowfully* Father
please, in my future I have no one. I never knew mother and I haven't seen Raven
in years, not since they separated us. *Glances at her surroundings* In my time, there are places very similar to this, there's a new drug, too. One
that can enhance and increase a person’s talents and gifts to different degrees, depending on how much
is taken. That's how I'm able to be here, I used enough of that drug. Father, you have to leave here and keep trying and live. I
need you. Mother and Raven need you. Change
my future, I want my family. *Tears on her face* Please.
Abberline: *listens to her,
staring at her intently and still in wonder* No. No, that is never going to be.
But when I try to do the right thing everything goes horribly wrong. *gets slowly
up* And I am here because I understood finally what I have to do, it is just
so difficult ... *looks at her sadly* I
have to give up your mother. I am not the man she needs. She needs someone she can trust and love, I have brought her only sorrow and pain ... but I am not giving
you up. Come out of here with me, this is not a place for my beautiful daughter.
Chiana: You're wrong, maybe in the short term it appears wrong, but in the long view it's
completely different. You don't understand, father, I can't stay as much as I
want to. Soon I'll be drawn back there. Raven said mother was always unpredictable,
temperamental and stubborn, he also said he always sensed in some strange way that she actually thrived on the arguments the
two of you had. He told me once he believed she enjoyed them almost as much as
… *Hesitates momentarily, a puzzled expression on her face* What was that
word he used … oh yeah, as badonkadonk? Father, just what is badonkadonk?
???
Abberline *coughs, embarrassed, taken by surprise*
Ah ... you are too young ... When you are grown up you will understand.. .*smiles*
Promise me that this will not be the future, if I now walk out of this place. Promise me that I will see you. And yes, your mother, she is all that, and much more ... You really are a healer, my girl.
Chiana *Smiles
for the first time back at him* It'll change everything, the future as I know
it will never be. Only you will remember it ever was. You'll be seeing me again very soon, just never forget me. *She
takes his arm and kisses his cheek, steps back once again the air shimmers around her.
She looks wishfully at him* My time is up father, I love you. *She fades slowly in a swirling of the air*
Abberline *looks at the spot where she was
standing for long after her disappearance, his head feels dizzy again, and he stops to rest, leans against the dirty brick
wall and lights a cigarette, smokes for a while, eyes shut, trying to remember what she looked like, and then he walks out
of the den into the bright sunlight, wondering how many times he has done this, emerged from an opium den knowing that this
will be the last time for him, but it never is ... He takes the walk back to
the Apparition, but decides it would be better to go home first, and he hopes that Metrea has left; he opens the door and
meets an astonished Miranda*
Miranda *stifling a scream, looking at his clothes and hair in disarray* What has
happened to you?
Abberline: Is Metrea still here? I want a word with her. *he goes upstairs to find yet one new
shirt, changes and goes to the dining room* Well, Metrea. It was nice knowing you, but you have to leave before Kat comes home. I
don't want to upset her.
Miranda *Having
watched Abby go upstairs, heads back to the dining room, where she suddenly morphs into Metrea. Turns to face Carver, who holds the real Miranda unconscious form in his arms, grinning*
Metrea *Raising
an eyebrow* I can see you're quite satisfied with this turn of events.
Carver: I told 'em she was mine. They shoulda
listened. *Looking down at Miranda, baring his fangs.*
Metrea *Forcefully*
No! You will not harm her until
you have my leave! She still might prove useful.
Carver *Fangs
still bared, glares at Metrea* Who the 'ell be you to give me orders? I'm not afraid of yer kind. Your powers be nothing to me.
Metrea *Returning
his glare* As yours are nothing to me, but I'm certain you'll find if you incur
my anger, Marchand will be most displeased and will deal with your impudence most thoroughly.
Carver *Sneers
at her.* I'll not seek no woman's leave for anything but I'll wait for now until
I see Marchand for myself.
Metrea: Get her out of here then, and keep her prisoner.
*Carver takes Miranda away and Metrea waits for Abberline.*
*Abby enters*
Metrea *Smiles
at Abby's statement* Yes I've been thinking and you are right. I'll retreat for now and wait until the birth of the child. Miranda
told me to tell you she had to run an errand and will return soon. So I'll take
my leave and bide my time until you send word of the birth. *Smiles, turns to
leave* You can leave word at the Chez Roux if I am needed.
Abberline: I
will inform you. Perhaps Kat will be feeling different by then. *smiles at her*
I am sorry for being so impolite, but you have to understand that Kat comes first.
I can walk you back to Chez Roux, Metrea. *offers
his arm to her* I also have to run an errand. A
very important one.
Metrea *Smiles*
Nonsense you've been more than kind and I understand completely. An important errand, sounds most intriguing. *Takes his arm*
To Chez Roux then.
Manouche *approaching Bournemouth House, ducks
behind a tree, sees Abberline and Metrea emerge from the house, watches them walk in the direction of town, thinks to herself* Ah, not th’ best time. I’ll
talk to ‘im about all this later, I reckon. *In town with time on her hands,
she heads toward her old house, to pay a visit to Malachi*
At
Arizona Dream Studios
Manouche *at
her old house, knocks on the door, sees no lights on inside, waits for a few minutes.
When there’s no answer, she assumes Malachi must be out, and she turns to leave; stops short as she sees Gili
approaching* Gili! S’good
t’ see ye, luv … how ye been?
Gili: I’ve been all right … but … *he stops, looks at her carefully* You haven’t found out anything about Blake, have you?
Manouche: No … no, I ‘aven’t …
Gili: I’m truly sorry. But don’t
give up hope. *pauses* I saw you
at Malachi’s door, so I thought I would catch you before you leave …
Manouche: Do y’know where he is?
Gili *shakes
head* No, but I’d like to talk to you.
Please come to the house, it’s important.
Manouche *nods,
follows him to the studio, they enter, walk through to the living quarters. He
brings her into a small room off the main living room, she enters, and gasps* Bloody
‘ell … Raven … *she rushes to the side of the small bed, where Raven is lying, his eyes glazed, staring,
unseeing, sweat on his brow*
Gili: He probably won’t respond to you right now.
No worries, he’s going to be all right. But I’ve had to keep
my eye on him constantly.
Manouche *kneeling
by the side of the bed, brings her cool hand to his forehead, her heart racing. She
turns to look at Gili, eyes wide* Wh-what ‘appened to ‘im? What’s wrong with ‘im?
Gili *grim* I think someone put a spell on him …
Manouche *horrified,
whispers* N-no …
Gili: He’s been spending a lot of time over here lately, either playing music with
Graham, or talking to me about our family. The interest in the family is obvious
… now that he knows his parents, he wants to learn more about their backgrounds, so he’s been asking me all sorts
of questions about Kat. *smiles slightly*
The love of music, he got from you. *smile fades as he glances at Raven
solemnly* So when he showed up the other day, I didn’t think much of it,
but then I noticed he was acting strangely … he was very distracted, and he didn’t look well. We talked a while, then he started to tremble terribly, said something in a language I didn’t understand
… said it over and over, like a chant … then he dropped to the floor, unconscious.
*runs a hand through his hair* I worked hard trying to find an antidote,
but it was difficult, since I didn’t really know exactly what had happened to him … so I pretty much tried everything
I could think of in the way of remedies of our people. I tried so many different
things, I couldn’t even tell you what finally worked … or who knows, maybe it was a culmination of everything. Anyway, he’s finally turned a corner, I can tell. He’s resting much better now, and he’s no longer feverish.
*Gili looks at her* I wanted to talk to you, because you’re a dreamer,
like he is. I wanted to know if it’s true what I've heard, that spells
placed on dreamers can have unexpected results that wouldn’t happen with other people …
Manouche *gazing
at Raven, stroking his forehead, brushing the hair out of his eyes* Aye, it’s
true. I remember Alifi tellin’ me about that. I thought it were rubbish, but she insisted it’s true. She
told me a story, fer example, of a sorcerer who were accustomed t’ castin’ simple spells on people, all in fun
… one day, a bloke come t’ him an’ told him he were goin’ t’ run in a race th’ followin’
day, an’ could he do somethin’ to give ‘im extra speed or energy?
There was a cash prize, an’ th’ bloke needed th’ brass. So
th’ sorcerer, not knowin’ he were a dreamer, cast a light spell … an’ th’ next day, th’
dreamer ran th’ race, won it easy, but he couldn’t stop … he literally ran ‘imself to death. *she looks at Gili, tears in her eyes* Gili,
mate, are ye sure he’s goin’ t’ be sound?
Gili: I’m sure. I wouldn’t say
that to you if I weren’t. *his eyes darken*
But I’d like to know who’s responsible for this, it nearly killed him.
Manouche: Are ye sure it were a spell? *Gili nods* How d’ ye know … *she stops herself*
Aye, never mind … ye jus’ know, don’t ye? I reckon it
ain't jus' dreamers who know things. *she turns back to Raven, takes his hands
in hers, squeezes them, concentrates, sees and feels nothing, but she tries to send him a message of comfort anyway* Easy, lil’ mate, we’re ‘ere fer ye.
Steady on, luv …
Gili: I was just making some tea, it should be about ready … would you like some?
Manouche: Aye. *he leaves the room, she sits with
Raven a few more minutes, then stands up to find a chair to pull up to the bed. She
sees one that has Raven’s clothes draped over it, and she picks it up, hears something metallic hit the floor. She sets the chair down, drops to the floor to see what the item was, sees a small
ring that she figures must have dropped from one of his pockets. She picks it
up, rises, examining it closely, frowning. She slips it in her pocket, hears
Gili coming, smiles as he enters the room* Ahh, cheers, mate … ye always
‘ave th’ best tea ‘ere. *she takes a cup from him* Do ye mind if I stay a bit? I’d like t’ sit with
him, if it’s all right.
Gili: Of course, you’re welcome. It might
do him good to have you here. He speaks of you all the time, loves you very much
… he may sense your presence. *He sets his cup down on a chest of drawers,
leaves the room for a moment and returns with another chair, brings it over and sets it next to the one she had moved
to the bedside. They both sit quietly for awhile, watching Raven, as he finally
closes his eyes and eventually settles down into a deep, peaceful sleep*
At The Apparition:
Abberline *leaves Metrea
at the doors of Chez Roux* We can talk more later, I hope I can take you out to dinner some day and make up for what happened
at Celeste. *continues to the port, and with a heavy sigh once more boards the Apparition,
walks past the pirates grinning at him, to the cabin and knocks at the closed door*
Kidd *Bellows* I done told ye misbegotten sons of pox-ridden whores, I don't be wanting to be disturbed. Get yerselves back te ye duties! Lest
I lose me temper and keelhaul ye!
Abberline *sighing even more heavy when he
hears it is Kidd, then opens the door* That's an accurate description of
your crew, Kidd. I'm back. *steps
inside and closes the door* I came to tell that Kat is free. I can
see that I have lost, what good it is fighting with you all the time. But
I will take my daughter. She belongs to me.
Kidd: So I was right all along. You only e'er
wanted the daughter. Kat be disposable.
What she feels or wants be unimportant. Get out, Abberline, you'll
have yer daughter. Blast I'll 'ave te bear the bloody labor. After this she'll nay come forward. *Sighs* She's too ... Ne'er mind. Not yer concern. Now go.
Abberline *vehemently* No, you misunderstand me on purpose because you hate me! I am just giving her what she wants and needs: her freedom.
How many times has she run from me? I want to do right with
her, but how can I even know what she really wants with you interfering all the time.
What does Kat want? *stops, and looks at her sharply* She is too ... what? Go on.
Tell me. *takes a few steps toward her*
I have the right to know.
Kidd: She's too fragile, too much afraid that this very thing would happen. That she would be abandoned and lose. She were always afeard
of lettin' 'er guard down and end up bein' alone. I only exist to bear the pain
that she cannot. Otherwise she'd not survive.
She loves you Abby, but the fear is too much for her.
Abberline *sinks down on
the bed* Oh gods ... I am not abandoning her. But that is what I meant. She doesn't trust me, and she would need someone she can trust. I just thought that would be best for her, letting her free …
I would have done it only because I do love her though you won't believe me.
Give me one more chance. Give her back to me.
Kidd: Only if ye be certain. She been testing ye. Trustin' comes not easy te 'er. Men 'ave done too much damage
and know this, she's come closer to trustin' ye than any that's come before. *Kidd
closes her eyes and with much difficulty brings her forward*
Kat *Sees Abby* If you've come te take my baby, it be too soon. I will not
fight it nor get in yer way. *Placing her hands to her head, tears flow freely* I cannot bear it. Having no one must
be the most torment in existence.
Abberline: No, I have come to take you and the baby. If you are sure
that you still want me, despite all the times I have failed you ... Please don't cry.
*swallows hard, then carefully embraces her, wipes away her tears, kisses her gently* Come with me, love, let
me take you home. I know now that we are destined to be together. Till death do us part.
Kat *Uncertainly* Be ye sure? What 'bout Metrea?
Abberline: She is not at Bournemouth House anymore. But I still don't
understand why you treated her like that.
Kat *Relieved* She may look like an angel, but she's bein' pure poison.
She onliest e'er be doin' anythin' be te further 'er own interests with
no carin' who she 'arms. She be 'avin' powers. E'en
Ama was wary of 'er when we were children. Once I 'member she were tryin' te
claim a doll that were belongin' te another. The parents made 'er give it back and that very night their 'ouse burned te the
ground. Another time a teacher fell deathly ill after chastisin' in front of
the other kids. She be evil, Abby. Don't
let 'er fool ye.
Abberline *listens to her,
deciding to let her keep her opinions about Metrea* I will keep that in mind,
but I must say that Raven did not shun her, and you know how sensitive he is. I
know that you think I am easily fooled, but Raven certainly isn't. But I am doing
as you wish and I will not invite her anymore, so you can come home. It can't
be very good for the baby with these slippery boards on ... *checks himself in
time, and looks at her in the eyes* And are you sure you want to continue with
me? *remembers the wedding robe and Dimitri from his vision* You do have other choices as well, and you would not need to be alone...
Kat: I told ye she 'as powers. Most
like she were usin' 'em to blind Raven to her true self. Choices. Of bed warmers maybe, nothin' more. None I'd be for tiein'
myself to. *Looks at him closely* Why
do you say that? Be that the truth of it then. Ye'd
'ave me choose else?
Abberline: There are always choices. Why me, because of Raven and Fiji? I want to know the truth. And … *hesitantly, looking away
from her* I don't think I want you to choose someone else, but - but I had a
vision of some strange ceremony, of an eternal bond ... and another one of someone giving you an Indian wedding robe. Maybe I am not the right man for you, maybe there is someone else who could understand
you better than me. If you go on with me, it will always be like this, fighting
and making up, suspicions and jealousy, Kidd trying to rescue you from me ... I want you to think carefully. Is it how you want it? *looks again at her*
Kat: Ye be referrin' te Dimitri, eh? A
sly one 'e is, proclaimin' 'imself a simple psychic. A psychic practicin' witchcraft and aye, 'e was usin' that word
eternal. 'e just didna take this *Bares her arm revealing the tattoo* into account,
savvy? 'is pitiful attempt at spellin' was for naught. 'e gave me that robe as
well along with a likely tall tale as te 'ow 'e come by it. I be not sure what 'is game was but I assume it were 'avin' to
do with that box. *Takes Abby's arm, looks into his eyes* As for ye luv, *Smiles* Ups and downs, lost then found be what make the world go round and
I wouldna 'ave it no other way. Savvy?
Abberline: Yes, I was talking about Dimitri ... He didn't seem like a liar to me, but I will take your word. *takes her in his arms* If that is your
choice, it is time we made up, isn't it? *unbuttons slowly the first buttons
of her shirt, then backs off, looks at her in the eyes with his intent dark eyes* if you want it …
Kat *Eye's glazing over* Be ye daft? What
a question? *Grabs his shirt hesitates*
Ye wanna, let's turn this ship into a sauna!!!
*Off stage* Yeah them writers done ripped off that line .... much like that shirts
gonna be, eh??
Abberline *still holding
her eyes with his* I do want ... But I want you to understand that this is the
last time you run away from me. This is your choice now, if I take you home you
are going to stay there and share your life with me. *steps closer and unbottuns
the next two buttons, leans in on her and kisses her neck* Put up the heat, my
dear ...
Kat: Aye, luv. Anythin' ye say ..... *As she's ripping yet another shirt, everything fades to black.*
*Off stage* Director: *Leaps to his feet angrily* Damn it Kat you got to stop scaring the stage hands and let me do
my blasted job for a change!!!!
At Arizona Dream Studios:
Manouche *hours
later, wakes up, for a moment she forgets where she is. She stretches, feeling
stiff from having slept in the chair, looks down at Raven, sees he looks much better than when she first arrived, he’s
breathing easily and sleeping soundly. She leans over him, adjust the covers
around him, sees that the hair has fallen in his eyes again; she brushes it off his face, smiles, whispers* Jus’ like yer dad. *she bends down, kisses his cheek
gently, then stands up, stretches again. She looks over at Gili, who’s
also fallen asleep, his feet propped up on the end of the bed. She finds a light
quilt folded at the foot of the bed and places it around him carefully, so she doesn’t wake him. She picks up her cup, takes a last swallow of cold tea that’s in the bottom of it, half-mockingly
turns the cup in her hands to give herself a reading of the tea leaves at the bottom.
She scowls, not liking what she sees, puts the cup down on the bedside table.
She thinks for a minute, then takes a small notebook and pen out of her coat, writes a letter for Gili. She finishes it, reads it over, nods, satisfied. She stands
up, folds the letter, comes over to Gili, pulls the quilt aside, places the note in his shirt pocket, brings the quilt back
up over his shoulders. She looks at Raven one more time, then quietly leaves
the room, walks softly through the house, lets herself out into the cool night air.
She looks over at her old house, it’s still dark. She remembers
that that nice Mr. Godalming is staying with Malachi; but it’s late, and if one or both of them are home, they’re
obviously asleep. She turns, heads down to the river, finds her little boat,
hops in, casts off, and heads slowly down stream, back to Rartigillichal, gazing up wistfully at the stars as she drifts
along … *
Gili *wakes
up a little later, yawns, looks down, surprised to see he’s covered with a quilt.
He looks over, notices the empty chair, then looks at Raven, relieved to see him much improved. He stretches, then notices the paper in his shirt pocket, pulls it out, sees it’s a letter from Manouche:*
Dear Gili,
Raven’s
resting well now, so I figured I should get home, it’s late. Please don’t
hesitate to call me if you need anything, or if Raven wants to see me; I mean that, mate, call me anytime, day or night. I’ll probably stop by again tomorrow to see how he’s faring.
I had a
strange visit with Inspector Abberline’s sister today, Lady Cynthia. I
don’t know how well you know her, I don’t even know if you’ve met her yet, but for better or worse, she’s
family, so I imagine you’ll meet her sooner or later. She came to me with
an odd request – she wanted me to act as a go-between for her, she wants to talk to Fred about her share of some inheritance. She is certain he won’t speak to her about it, though I tried to tell her I’m
sure he wouldn’t stand in her way of what’s rightfully hers, and that Kat is definitely not out for any of the
Abberline family’s money. I’m telling you this because I feel highly
uncomfortable approaching your brother-in-law about this. Finances are such a
personal subject, and this is decidedly a family matter. I would like to ask
you to please tell Fred about this, simply tell him that Lady Cynthia wants to get together with him to discuss this issue. She said she prefers to discuss it with him without Kat around, but that’s up
to Fred. She also revealed to me that she owns Bournemouth House, which I didn’t know. Again, Gili,
this all makes me very uncomfortable; it’s not my business, I don’t know why she decided to come to me about it,
as if I have some special influence or something. So I leave it to you, please
pass word along to Fred; I think it makes a lot more sense coming from you, his brother. Feel free to show him this
letter, if it will prove helpful. Also please mention that she seems prepared
to make their lives unpleasant if he doesn’t at least agree to meet with her.
She swears that’s all she wants -- just an opportunity for him to hear her out.
It was good
to see you again, despite the less than ideal circumstances. I’m glad to
see Raven’s on the mend, and I hope the spell is broken. I would love for
us to get together soon for a nice visit. You and Pam have yet to see the house
… and tell Raven that ol’ Manouche has recently acquired a few equestrian boarders that he would be very interested
in,
Manouche
At
Rartigillichal:
Manouche *sits
outside the main house the following night, gazing into a fire she’s built, slowly sipping from a bottle of rum. She’s had a very busy day, up early talking to some contractors she’d
hired to work on changing and adding to the art studio shed to create a stable for the horses ... she then fed them and
made sure they were tended. She planted her apple tree from Armand,
then went into town to run a few errands, which proved less than satisfactory. She
had tried to pay one visit after another, with no luck. She had tried the factory,
only to be told by one of the oompa loompas that Willy and Madame had asked not to be disturbed, "come hell or high water,"
as he said Master Wonka had put it. He was very kind as he told her this, and he winked a little and added that
Madame had recently purchased a new pair of shoes ... Manouche had grinned and replied that she wouldn’t dream
of bothering them at such a time, and had withdrawn, glancing up at the wing that she knows is the location of their suite,
and blowing a kiss to their window. She then went straight to Arizona Dream Studios,
hoping to see Raven and Gili, but there was no answer from the living quarters, and the main studio was locked because a session
was in progress. She then tried Malachi’s, to no avail. She hoped the silence at the studio living quarters meant that Raven was cured and had been able to return
home, and that perhaps Gili had taken him there and would use the opportunity to talk to Abberline about Lady Cynthia. She thought about stopping at Bournemouth House, then decided against it, still feeling
a little uncertain after the way Abberline had snapped at her last time she saw him.
Besides, if the talk with Gili had occurred, it was possible that Lady Cynthia would be there even now, and she
certainly didn't want to interrupt that. She decided she would try Bournemouth House the following day*
*With her luck
not at its best, she was reluctant to even attempt her final stop, but she couldn’t resist on the off chance that it
would be successful, and she made her way to Jerod’s house, as she had nearly every day since Blake’s disappearance. But once again she was doomed to disappointment; still no answer, same as always. She stood facing his house for awhile, then sighed deeply, turned, and slowly made
her way back home.*
*By the time
she returned, the workmen had made amazing progress on the stable, and figured the job would be done within a few days. She thanked them, offered them beers, they stayed awhile and visited with her, chatting
about various things … then they left, and as the pretty day was turning into another beautiful late-summer evening,
she decided to build a fire outside and enjoy the weather. Now the sun has long
set, and she sits under the moon and multitude of stars, nursing the rum, feeling melancholy, brooding over old memories triggered
by Courbet’s sudden appearance*
*She remembers
it all too clear, the night of the escape attempt, when she and Danilo had tried to escape The Order, having learned what
their fate was to be. She had stopped, after running so hard, crouching down
in the woods outside the compound, her heart pounding so hard in her chest she was sure their pursuers would hear it …
she had thought Danilo was right behind her. She remembers peeking through the
bushes, seeing it all, hearing his scream … She has no memory of the time
between that and when she somehow found her way to the gypsy caravan not far from Paris, the kind people who came upon
her in the woods, her dark hair a tangled mass, her feet scarred and bleeding, fear and defiance all evident in her face,
her brother’s scream still resounding in her ears. It took a long time,
but the family brought her back to the living. They asked her name … she
had no memory of it, other than her first name. They offered her the surname
of the young man who had found her shivering in the woods, and Manouche Roussel was born.
She stayed with the caravan for years, and all of her early Romany knowledge was soon restored, everything she had
learned before her father had decided he didn’t want to be part of the Rom culture, he wanted to belong to something
else, something much better, so he had thought … *
*Then the day
when she first became aware of rumors about her, circulating throughout the caravan, that the strange girl had lived among
the gadje, the non-Rom, the family of The Order. The elder gypsies have
strict rules concerning interaction with the gadje, that they’re not to be associated with other than business situations
– doing work for them, telling their fortunes, and so on. The elders of
the caravan announced that Manouche was mahrime, unclean, because of this association.
Her little adoptive family was outraged, they protested, insisting it wasn’t her fault, she had to follow the
parents, she was just a little girl at the time, and hadn’t she been through enough?
She was still pure Romani, and further, she had unique powers, they could tell.
But the elders were adamant. Whereas they wouldn’t force the family
to make her leave, they could make things very unpleasant for all of them. The
family tried to keep this from Manouche as they tried to decide what to do, considered breaking away from the caravan, but
that would’ve meant their actions would follow them, word would quickly spread throughout the international community,
and they would be shunned. Manouche picked up on it all with her dreamer sensitivity,
and was brokenhearted. She couldn’t let them suffer because of her. So one night, when everyone was asleep, she left a brief note explaining her decision
to leave, thanked them all for everything they had done for her, threw together a few belongings, and stole away from the
camp. She traveled alone for a long time, finally making her way to London, where
she lived on the streets for awhile, became extremely adept at picking pockets, honing her silver tongue, and telling fortunes
to scrape by. Piracy soon followed, when she joined her first crew, showed a
surprising talent for the trade, then eventually made it to captain of her own ship.
She now takes another drink of rum, stares into the fire, wracking her brain; why can’t she remember the
name of her first ship … *
Manouche …
Manouche: Gaah! *startled, cries out as a voice
softly says her name. She turns to see a pretty little girl with dark hair, solemn
eyes and strange clothing, shimmering in the moonlight. She peers at her for
a moment, looks at the rum bottle, then looks at the girl again, eyes narrowed; then she realizes who she is, and she smiles
a little, very slowly* By th’ powers … Chiana … it is you,
innit? I – I saw ye as a baby …
Chiana *nods* I remember.
Manouche *blinks* Y’ do? *pauses, still not sure
whether she’s seeing her or it’s the rum* L-look at ye, yer a young
girl already … an’ yer so beautiful …
Chiana: Why are you avoiding my mother and father?
Manouche: Avoidin’ … I ain’t avoidin’ ‘em, sweet. Well … per’aps a little … I jus’ figure … well, ‘ere lately, I been
thinkin’ per’aps I’d been meddlin’ in their affairs too much, savvy?
I been wantin’ to give ‘em their space, as it were. Wanted
t’ give ‘em a chance to work together as a family, to get to know each other better … to grow together …
an’ that includes Raven. *smiles*
That’s all.
Chiana: They still need you. Sometimes they need
you more than they know. *pauses, adds*
And that includes Raven. *smiles slightly*
Manouche *laughs
softly* Yer quick, ain’t ye? Chiana,
I ‘aven’t meant t’ avoid anyone … I’m jus’ tryin’ not to wear out me welcome, is
all. An’ they’ve been dealin’ with all manner o’ stressful
family visitors, with Kat’s sister an’ th’ Inspector’s sister both comin’ to town. I didn’t figure it’d be to anyone's benefit, addin’ another person to th’ mix,
at this particular juncture. Not t’ mention th’ fact that I'm still
recoverin’ from me experience in th' box ... I still ain't quite right ...
Chiana: I know. Thank you for helping me. You shouldn’t have done it, it made you weaker.
*she approaches Manouche, takes her hand*
Manouche *looks
down at the little hand holding hers, murmurs* No worries, luv, I’d do
it again. I’m still ‘ere, aren’t I? *smiles at her*
Chiana: Then you won’t stop helping them? I
can only do so much. Promise you won’t stop helping them?
Manouche *looks
at her, surprised* Blimey, ‘course not.
*covers the little hand with hers* Chiana, I’ll always be there
fer ‘em if they want me. I love ‘em all, ye know that, don’t
ye? There’s nothin’ I wouldn’t do fer ‘em.
Chiana: Then you’ll still be there for the delivery?
Please? *tears fill her eyes*
Manouche: By th’ powers, what a question … ‘course I will, luv. There were never any doubt about that. Yer dad recently said
he trusts me completely with ye, savvy? *pulls her close, embraces her* There, now, none o’ that. All’s
sound, an’ yer goin’ to ‘ave a beautiful life. *holds her out
by her arms, looks at her carefully* All right, then?
Chiana: All right. Merci beaucoup. *wraps arms around Manouche, kisses her cheek* I know you
don’t believe it right now, but you’re blessed. *she steps back,
looks at Manouche, smiles* You have surprises coming.
Manouche *grins
at her mysterious expression* Surprises, ay?
Yer young, lassie, ye still believe all surprises are welcome. Tell me,
these surprises comin’ me way … are they good, or bad? *but Chiana
only continues to smile at her, then shimmers, and fades from view*
Manouche *gazes
at the spot where she stood for a long time, deep in thought. Then she thinks
of Raven, and all they’ve been through … she never in her life thought she would be thankful for her torture at
Nate’s hands, her incarceration in Marchand’s fortress, the ugly P that Nate branded on her arm that hurts her
to this day, inside and out … but thankful she is, because it all brought her to Raven.
Tears come to her eyes as she thinks of him, how much she loves him, how he’s enriched her life. To have been able to help bring him back to safety, to have had something to do with reuniting him with
his parents … of her many adventures, she often thinks this may be the greatest one of all, certainly a deeply fulfilling
one. And as she thinks of these things, it occurs to her that sometimes it’s
hard to tell whether a surprise is good or bad … sometimes you don’t know for certain until long after the surprise
has come and gone. She reaches for the rum bottle, hesitates as she hears a sound,
then recognizes the nightingale. She looks up in the direction of the pretty
song, holds up the bottle* Still singin’, then, are ye? Cheers, mate. *drinks, returns to gazing into the fire*
At the Wonkas’ factory:
Willy *after hours with Madame,
they both finally collapse on the master bed, breathless, he sighs happily*
Madame: ....
wow .... wow .... god I missed that more than I thought I did.
Willy *laughs, then his sudden senses kick in. He knows that Manouche had been there. He
could feel her kiss on his cheek as she usually would.* Manouche sends her love
....
Madame *looks over at Willy, smiles* Well let’s be polite then! *she blows a kiss to the window, knowing it'll find Manouche*
Willy *smiles,
does the same, then props himself up on one elbow, sees Madame move to get up* Oh
hell no, I'm not done with you yet. *grabs her arms, again passion begins between
the two for who knows how many hours*
At Rartigillichal:
Manouche *next
morning, in the kitchen making coffee, feels someone’s presence behind her; turns, smiles broadly as she sees Raven
standing in the kitchen doorway* Raven!
Blimey, I’m so glad t’ see ye, ye ‘ad me so worried. Are
ye sound, luv? Do y’know what ‘appened to ye? …… *starts
for him, then stops short, noticing the expression on his face* Wh-what is it,
luv?
Raven: I want that ring back.
Manouche: Th’ ring … *for a moment she doesn’t remember, then it comes back
to her* Ohh, aye … th’ ring … that one that were with yer belongin’s
… I meant t’ ask ye about it, I’d never seen it before …
Raven *grim* Give it back, give it back to me now. You
had no right to take it.
Manouche: Wh- … why, sure, lil’ mate, I ‘ave it right ‘ere. *she digs into a pocket, pulls the ring out, looks at it* It’s
jus’ that … it looks … I dunno, it reminds me o’ somethin’ … I don’t know what …
I know it sounds daft, but there’s somethin’ about it I don’t like.
I reckon I jus’ wanted a chance to … examine it a bit closer … *she moves closer to him, holding
it up*
Raven *steps
up to her, grabs it away from her, looks at it with an odd, greedy expression, puts it on*
Well I guess you’ve had long enough with it. Any thoughts?
Manouche *stares
at him; his tone is so strange* Are ye sound, Raven? Ye don’t seem … yer not really angry with me, are ye?
Raven: You tell me. You can read my thoughts,
can’t you?
Manouche *gazes
at him, concentrates, her eyes narrowed; shakes her head* I … I can’t
seem t’ pick up on anythin’ at th’ moment. *she takes his hands
in hers*
Raven *snatches
his hands away impatiently* I’m so bloody sick of all this.
Manouche: S-sick of … sick of all what, luv?
Raven: Of everything always bein’ so damn weird.
*walks away from her, stares out the window, his back to her*
Manouche *swallows,
slowly moves up to him, speaking softly* R-Raven … ye jus’ got over
bein’ really sick, savvy? Gili … he were afraid fer yer life. I don’t know what he told ye, but … well, never mind all that, we can
go into that later, when we’re with Gili, he can help explain. Thing is,
ye shouldn’t be up an’ around right now. I think it’s too soon
…
Raven *spins
around, glares at her* YOU think, YOU think.
You’re not my mother.
Manouche: I know that. I've ... I've jus’ wanted t’ help ye when I could
…
Raven: Well you don’t need to anymore. I’ve
got my family now. I’ve got my real mother and father, an’ Miranda
… an’ my aunt. I have a real family, an’ … I just want
everything to be normal now … like what I used to see with the other kids.
Manouche *gently* Ahh, but lil’ mate, it’ll never be completely like that. How could it? Yer a dreamer, same as yer dad … s-same
as me … *smiles slightly* An’ yer baby sister who’s comin’,
she’s a healer. But that’s all wond’rous, innit? *tries to joke* Normalcy’s overrated, luv. *she approaches him again, puts a hand on his shoulder* C’mon,
sit down, let me make ye some cocoa, jus’ th’ way ye like it. An’
then ye can come see th’ horses …
Raven *shakes
her off, glares at her* Just leave me alone.
An’ stop callin’ me luv, an’ lil’ mate, I’m too big for that. An’ who are you to call me that, you’re not my family.
*walks over to the sink, mutters under his breath* Patron saint of misfits
…
Manouche *horrified,
starts to say something, then stops, thinks to herself* By th’ powers,
th’ spell … *she stares at him, eyes wide* Raven … I …
Raven *spins
around again* You think I’m still sick, don’t you? *sneers* Yeah, see, I’m a dreamer, and I can still read
your thoughts, even if you can’t read mine. Well there’s nothin’
wrong with me, I’m fine. I just want to go home, now that I’ve got
my stolen ring back. *holds up his hand, smiles at the ring* Isn’t it cool?
Manouche: Frankly, lu— ahh, Raven, I can’t
say I care fer it. I don’t think it suits ye. Wh-where’d it come from?
Raven *gazing
at the ring, falters for a moment* Uhh … I … I d-don’t remember
… *His eyes clear for a second, and his face looks more like the Raven she knows, and he looks so frightened and vulnerable,
she starts to move toward him again, wanting to embrace him. Then his eyes cloud
over again, and he glares at her* It’s none of your business where it came
from! Thieving gypsy.
Manouche *is
pretty certain he doesn’t know what he’s saying, but his words are still painful.
She stares at him, face pale, whispers* Y- ye don’t mean that …
Raven: Just leave us alone from now on, so we can get on with our lives. We don’t need you. Do you always have to be in the thick
of everything? We’ve all thanked you for your help in the past, so I think
our accounts are square. *snarls* Savvy? *he glares at her one last time, then storms out of the kitchen, walks through the
house to the front door, slamming it behind him*
Manouche *stares
after him for a long time, then slowly sinks down into one of the kitchen chairs. She’s
vaguely aware of a fluttering sound, and Wilko swoops into the room and lands on the table in front of her. She looks at him as he turns his head from one side to the other, blinking at her quizzically. She picks him up, nuzzles him under her chin, scratches his neck the way he likes, then kisses the top
of his head. She holds him up to her shoulder so he can perch, then she looks
over to the counter, sees the coffee is ready. She pours a cup, gazes out the
window for a few minutes, then turns, leaves the kitchen, slowly heads toward the stairs, up to her bedroom, closes the door*
*Off-stage whisper: My preciousssss ... *
At Bournemouth House:
Abberline
*returns home with Kat and yet another ripped shirt, opens the door and leads her into the living room, pours himself brandy
and lights a cigarette* And now you will stay away from that ship and concentrate
on more important things like decorating Chiana's room and buying her clothes and everything else a baby needs. You said that the estimated time is mid-October. It is not
very far away. Remember, you looked up the crib, and a chair, it is time we got the room into order. I would like to keep the pale rose wallpapers, but you can change them if you want - on one condition. I don't want anything pirate related in her room. *looks her steady in the eyes* I can't apparently change what you are, but I don't want my daughter to grow up to
be a pirate. *he drinks the brandy and puts the glass down* And one more thing. We don't want risk anything happening
with Chiana - if you go out, don't do it alone. You can go shopping with Miranda,
or ask me to take you to town.
Kat *Tilts her head, grits her teeth and bites back the retort that comes to her mind.
Slowly counting ten in her mind.* I see, very well … no pirate. Alright then, I'll be wanting emerald green walls with matchin' green and yellow seashell
borders. The furniture I done picked out will do well 'nuff. *Scowls at him, daring him to raise an objection.*
Abberline: Emerald green? Emerald green walls in
my house? *offended* And what is
wrong with that rose wallpaper. After all, it is going to be a girl's room. Pale pink sounds good to me.
Kat *Bites down hard on her lip, once more counting this time to 20.* Soooo
... now it's bein' no pirates nor emerald green, eh??? Tell me, just when
do ye think you'll be done makin' up yer x-nay list??? When ye've made up yer
mind luv, be so kind as te be lettin' me know! Savvy???
Abberline
*rolls eyes, sighs* Well it is very simple.
This house is not a pirate ship, it is a respectable household. You can
of course choose what decorations, clothes and toys you want, but I'll have to approve of your choices before you buy anything. I want her to grow up in a normal family in a normal environment. You will later see and understand, and I am sure that once you settle down, you will realize how miserable
your own life as a pirate was.
Kat *Eyes going
wide, failing her attempt to make a count of 30, growls low.* Yer approval???? Like some brainless twit??? Where
be the sense of my wastin' my freakin' time iffen e'erythin' I offer up yer for shootin' down,eh??? And just so you know luv, that 'spectable and normal in me own lowly opinion are bein' too blasted much
o'er rated!!! And 'nuther thin' … a pirate's life may be many thin's but
seldom be they miserable!!! Savvy??
At Rartigillichal:
Manouche *riding
the horse, hangs on tight as he gallops across her property. He’s still
a little contrary, but much more agreeable with her than before; she’s managed to become quite in tune with him. He slows down, then stops, and she pats his neck lovingly, smiling* Ahh, I knew we’d get along, mate. Jus’ a matter
o’ time an’ trust, ay? *she holds out a sugar cube for him, he nibbles
it, shakes his head. She guides him toward the open gate at the far end of her
property, leads him through, and approaches the two gypsy wagons, sees Courbet, calls out to him. She pulls the horse to a stop, jumps down* Courbet …
I’d like to ‘ave a word …
Courbet: I was watching you ride. You’ve
done wonders with him, I know he’s a little difficult. But you always did
have a way with horses, even when you were very young.
Manouche *looks
at the horse fondly* He’s a fine creature, ain’t a thing wrong with
‘im. Jus’ needed a little understandin’, is all. I’ve come up with names fer th’ horses … this’un’s Peire. Th’ mare’s Blodwyn … an’ th’ colt’s name is Gaston.
Courbet *smiles
slightly* Blodwyn? How did a Welsh
name get in there?
Manouche *shrugs* It’ll sound daft, but … that mare’s got th’ sweetest breath
ye ever smelled on a horse, I don’t know how she does it. Per’aps
it’s ‘cause of her fondness fer clover, I dunno. Anyway, I didn’t
want t’ go with a typical name like Daisy, er Rose … nice names, they are, but, blimey, how many horses named
Daisy ‘ave ye run into, ay? *she grins as Courbet actually laughs* I rest me case. Blodwyn means flower
… so I figured that’d be a good name for ‘er.
Courbet: Fair enough. *pauses* What did you want to talk to me about?
Manouche: Oh, aye … I’m goin’ on a little trip, mate. I wanted to hire ye, to watch me property a bit while I’m gone.
It won’t be no trouble, straight up. Th’ main concern is that
th’ horses are tended, savvy? Not much else t’ do beyond that, other
than check th’ house every now an’ then. *feels impatient as she
sees his reluctant expression* Look, it ain’t consortin’ with gadje, savvy? I’m payin’
ye. It’s a job. Perfectly
respectable. *reaches in pocket, pulls out roll of bills* See? Cash advance an’ all. So ye don’t ‘ave to worry ‘bout what ye’ll tell yer mum when ye get home.
Courbet: It’s not that. It’s …
*pauses, thinks for a few minutes, then looks at her, her hand extended with the money*
Put that away, it’s not necessary …
Manouche *raises
eyebrows* It ain’t? Bollocks,
I think it is. *he doesn’t move to take the money from her, so she sighs,
puts it away* Right, we can settle up when I return, if that’s what ye
prefer. But I insist. *her voice
softens* I do insist … it’ll be a load off me mind, knowin’
them horses are bein’ looked after by someone who genuinely cares about ‘em.
I shouldn’t ‘ave talked like that. Apologies, luv.
Courbet: No, you have nothing to apologize for. I
should be apologizing to you. I … I just wish … *his voice trails
off, he looks away, gazes across the meadow, then turns back to her* Manouche,
I’ll take care of the horses. You don’t have to pay me, it’ll
be my pleasure. I love those horses, you know that.
Manouche *smiles
warmly* I know. But I’ll pay
ye anyway. I want to, I’d feel better about it. Besides, ye deserve it. *she looks at him carefully* What is it, mate? Is there somethin’
ye want t’ tell me?
Courbet: No … nothing. *he pulls cigarettes
out of a pocket, lights one, offers her one, he lights it for her* I hope you
won’t be gone long, though. Not good to leave just when you’re getting
closer to the horses like that. *looks away from her, a little awkward, runs
a hand through his hair* That is, they’ll miss you … you know how
they are … even if they don’t show it, they … *he looks at her, his eyes intense* … they miss you when you’re not around.
Manouche *startled
at the look in his eyes, hesitates, then responds smoothly* Aye … I know
how that is. No worries, I won’t be long at all, few days, tops, I reckon. I … I wouldn’t want … I wouldn’t want th’ horses worryin’
about me. But … at th’ same time, I couldn’t see leavin’
an’ not tellin’ someone. I mean, sometimes things ‘appen, savvy? Things beyond our control … *smiles at him*
So … ye won’t let ‘em miss me too much, will ye?
Courbet *looks
at her steadily* No, I won’t. *brings
a hand to her face, holds her chin gently, gazes into her eyes* I suppose …
if I’m going to be groundskeeper, you’d best show me around.
Manouche *nods* C’mon, then. *she starts for the
gate, calls back* C’mon, Peire. *Peire
snorts, then follows the two of them through the gate, back to Blodwyn and Gaston, grazing near the stable. Manouche shows Courbet where everything is that he’ll need to take care of them, she pets each of
the horses, murmurs into their ears. She then takes Courbet on to the house,
shows him around all three buildings, the main house, guest house and mill house, and she introduces him to Wilko, shows him
where his food is* Chances are, ye won’t ‘ave to do a thing fer Wilko,
but I figure it’s best ye know, in case I … in case I’m a bit longer than anticipated. Savvy?
Wilko: “Willy WONka – Willy WONka – the amazing chocolatier … ”
Manouche *laughs* An’ yer welcome t’ try teachin’ him a new song if yer keen! He knows others, but he always comes back to this’un. I reckon it’s his favorite.
Courbet *grins* We’ll see. It’s probably
time he learned a good Rom song … *he looks at her* … seeing as how he belongs to a Romani.
Manouche *smiles
at him gratefully* Ch-cheers, mate. Can
I offer ye anythin’?
Courbet: No, thanks, I must get back. I …
I told you I’m in the middle of something, didn’t I?
Manouche: Aye, that ye did, an’ ye were right mysterious about it. No worries, I won’t pry.
Courbet: I would tell you if I could, but …
Manouche *holds
hand up* Seriously, mate, I understand.
Go on, get back to it. I need t’ be on me way. If ye can start watchin’ ‘em tomorrow about this time, that’d be perfect. An’ I’ll come tell ye th’ minute I return. Who
knows, I may be back before ye can even feed ‘em once … or before ye can teach this’un a new song. *motions toward Wilko*
Wilko *flaps
wings* “I saw a werewolf drinkin’ a pina colada at Trader Vic’s
... his hair was perfect … ”
Manouche *laughs at Courbet's
puzzled expression, walks him to the door, watches him as he crosses the yard, heading back to the wagons; he turns once
to wave at her, she waves back. When he’s out of sight, she goes back into
the house, shuts the door. About a half hour later, she emerges from the house,
carrying a small bag over her shoulder, wearing coat and hat, and armed with pistol and sword.
She closes the door behind her and sets out on her journey, with a very determined look in her eyes*
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