At Bournemouth House:

Abberline: *looks after Kat, concerned*  Please leave my wife outside your investigations.  As you see for yourself, she has more important things to concentrate on than your enquiries.  *looks at him sharply*  What is it that you really want?  I don't buy this research story of yours at all.

Godalming *sighs, remembering what Malachi told about Abberline and his guarded privacy*  Haven't you all suffered enough of that box?  It is said to be the last of its kind, but how could you be so sure about that?  I want people to know, and take care.

Abberline:  And start a quest to find a new box, without doubt.  You don't seem to know the human nature.  If you write about how it has been disused, someone is always wanting to try it all to get power or notoriety.

Manouche and Raven *arrive at Bournemouth House.  Raven leads her up the stairs, into the main bedroom, where Abberline and Godalming are talking.  She smiles at Godalming*  Mr. Godalming, it’s good t’ see ye again, mate.  *approaches the bed, looks at Abberline, concerned*  Are ye sound, luv?  Not in too much pain, I trust?

Abberline *brightening up when he sees her, reaches his hand out for her*  No, no, I am all right, it is just a minor wound, and thanks to Kat, I don't need to go to the hospital.  I - I just wanted to know how you are.  *glances at Godalming, who jumped up when Manouche entered the room*  I think I do know what you have been ... dabbling with.  *looks her intently in her eyes*  It's too dangerous.

Godalming:  Ah, Miss Manouche, what a nice surprise.  You have to help me with convincing the Inspector to impart with his knowledge.  I might have discovered something sinister ...

Abberline:  He tried to scare Kat.  I am not having any of that.

Manouche *listens to them both, then looks over at Raven*  Ahh, lil’ mate, I could still use an eye-opener, as it were.  How ‘bout ye go rustle up some coffee?  Or ask Miranda if she’d make some fer us all?  Cheers, there’s a good lad.  *Raven nods, leaves the room.  Manouche turns back to Abberline, takes his outstretched hand*  I’m glad yer all right … I figured Kat could take care o’ yer wound.  Blimey, mate, ye ‘ave to be more careful.  It were so brave of ye, to go chargin’ in like ye did.  *turns to Godalming, grins*  It would appear that we pirate lasses ‘ave this effect on our men, Mr. Godalming.  Once we need protectin’, there ain’t nothin’ they won’t do, to th’ point o’ bein’ foolhardy.  Th’ Inspector ‘ere, he’s jus’ as bad over his Kat as me Mr. Blake was fer me.  *she turns back to Abberline, squeezes his hand, leans in, speaks softly*  I’m obliged to ye fer yer concern, Fred.  I’m fine now.  No worries, I won’t be touchin’ that vile stuff again.  But I don’t regret doin’ it th’ one time, ‘cause if I hadn’t, per’aps none o’ us would be ‘ere now, safe an’ sound.  *she turns again to Godalming*  Mr. Godalming, I know yer keen on th’ book, an’ any an’ all information regardin’ th’ soul box … but could we try an’ continue th’ exploration without involvin’ Kat or th’ Inspector, at least fer a time?  They both been through so much, they need t’ recover.  An' Kat, strong as she is, still should be mindful o' her condition, savvy?  Kat an' I are mates, I’ve been right close t’ her for a time now, per’aps I can answer some of th’ questions ye would ‘ave for her.  An’ as for th’ Inspector’s investigative work on th’ box … that all should be documented an’ in th’ Security Office.  I’m sure Sergeant Godley could help get ye access to them files.  *looks at Abberline*  That is, if th' Inspector don't object.

Abberline:  Oh no, I was not brave, just foolish.  It was you who saved Kat and my daughter, and I don’t even want to imagine how it would have been if Marchand had got his will, he would have left me alive because he knew that it would be worse than death to me.  They would have perished without you, you were ready to sacrifice your life for them ...  That is brave.  You are a guardian angel, Manouche.  *doesn't let go of her hand*  I don't know how to thank you ... Can I give you at least a hug?

Godalming *turns aside, feeling it is personal matter, then speaks to Manouche*  It is not quite as it seems, Miss Manouche.  I understand well that Mrs. Abberline needs her peace, and I do not want to disturb anyone with my investigations.  Actually, I came here to warn her - that tattoo of hers ... I am very concerned there is a risk.

Abberline *interrupts him*  That tattoo of hers has nothing to do with that accursed box, all right, you have warned us, and I believe I am capable to take care of my own wife.  You should not have said anything to her, now that she is in delicate condition.  Why didn't you turn to me?

Godalming *glancing at Manouche, quietly*  You would not have listened to me.  *sighs*  But neither did she.

Manouche *leans down, smiles as Abberline hugs her close*  Ah, Fred, I’m no angel … it’s jus’ what we all do fer each other, innit?  We’re mates.  I ‘aven’t forgotten how you an’ Kat an’ Sergeant Godley came t’ rescue Mr. Blake an’ me on that island.  I know how hard you an’ Kat are workin’ to ‘ave yer family, an’ I know it’s th’ most important thing in th’ world to ye.  I made up me mind a long time ago that I’ll do anythin’ in me power to make sure ye never lose that.  Ye’ll ‘ave yer family, Frederic Abberline, an’ ye’ll see that lil’ baby o’ yers come into this world safe an’ sound.  *squeezes his hand again, then turns to Godalming*  Right, Mr. Godalming, let’s not any of us waste time now about what should or shouldn’t ‘ave been said earlier.  Let’s move on from ‘ere.  Ye ‘ave reason to believe there’s a danger involvin’ Kat’s tattoo, an’ fer what it’s worth, th’ Inspector an’ I are listenin’ to ye right now.  Let’s leave Kat t’ rest fer th’ time bein’, but please go on, tell us what ye know.  *she glances at Abberline, smiles slightly, still speaking to Godalming*  As ye’ve already seen fer yerself, the lot of us aren’t strangers to precarious situations.  But we always seem t’ land on our feet.  I’m keepin’ th’ faith that this danger ye mention will be no exception.

Abberline *smiles at Manouche*  I trust you, Manouche.

Godalming:  Yes, that symbol, heart and soul ... I came upon it quite accidentally in an old book about magical pendants, and it looked precisely like the tattoo of Mrs. Abberline.  Now, with a tattoo and pendant like that, one can shut doors - or open doors that should be kept shut.  It can be used for stealing life force and souls ... I am not yet sure, what is the connection to the soul box, or whether there is one, but think about trapping souls ... But anyway, I assure you, be careful, that pendant combined with the tattoo, it might have dire results.  Especially in a black arts adept's hands, but it might cause harm even in uninitiated hands.

Abberline *glances at Manouche*  The glowing tattoo, bloody hell ... *turns to look at Godalming*  What kind of harm?

Godalming:  I am not quite sure.  It can, at worst, be used as a gateway to other dimensions.  And who nows what lurks in those shadows ... I am sorry, this is all very cryptic, I know, but the book was not more specific, and I didn't find any other references.  It was as if the writer didn't want to impart all his knowledge, but he hinted at some strange happenings in Fiji.  It can unleash the strongest powers - heart, the emotions, and soul - the powers of the mind.  I don't want to worry you, but I just wanted you to know.  It would be best if that tattoo could be removed.

Manouche *listens carefully, thinking, then finally speaks*  Kat’s tattoo comes from Marchand.  He put it on her when she were young.  He intended it so that he could control ‘er … but then her mum turned it all around on Marchand.  She … enchanted it, I reckon ye could say … so now, it supposedly offers Kat some protection against Marchand.  *smirks, thinking of what they all just went through*  Though I must admit, I 'ave yet to see that aspect of th’ bloody thing demonstrated.  *she turns to Abberline*  Do ye remember what ‘appened with it not long ago, luv?  Remember, ye summoned me ‘ere, th’ tattoo were givin’ Kat horrible pain, an’ th’ heart had changed to a dark red.  *she turns to Godalming*  I got ‘ere quick as I could, I put me hand to th’ tattoo, an’ … by th’ powers, it turned into a suction, in a manner o’ speakin’.  It were suckin’ at me lifeline, an’ th’ pain was excruciatin’.  It finally let me loose, but not without givin’ me all manner o’ terrible visions … visions o’ Nate an’ Marchand, an’ th’ ritual Marchand was wantin’ to perform with Kat, Raven an’ me, an’ that box.  *pauses*  Then … th’ tattoo released its hold on me, I passed out fer a time … an’ then I felt all right, as did Kat.  She an’ the baby were fine, an' th' tattoo eventually went back to its normal appearance.  *motions toward Abberline*  Th’ Inspector tried then t’ talk Kat into ‘avin’ it removed, but she still believed in its power to protect ‘er.  *she turns to Abberline, concerned*  Mate, I think we need t’ convince ‘er that it ain’t workin’ as her mum planned.  Per’aps it did once upon a time, but … I think th’ bad of it now outweighs th’ good.  Who knows, per’aps her mum’s magic has come undone, somehow.  An’ if th’ pendant has anythin’ to do with it … then someone may be manipulatin’ th’ tattoo’s power without us even knowin’ it.  Blimey, who could ‘ave that pendant?  Do ye suppose it's Marchand?

Abberline: Yes, I do remember... I remember that the tattoo started to glow and she lost her consciousness. .. But she doesn't want to talk about the tattoo. Do you mean she is in danger? Someone has found a pendant?

Godalming: That is bad news indeed! It confirms my suspicions. Yes, it means that someone really does have that pendant, but it can't be Marchand. I suppose he would know how to use it, because he used it on her, probably to steal something from her.

Abberline: Her powers... Marchand, Ama, Gili, Metrea, even Raven, they all have extraordinary powers, but Kat hasn't....

Godalming *nods*  That is probably so ... It seems to me, that the pendant was in inexperienced hands, since it didn't cause anything worse than that.  Not that it isn't bad enough.  We have to find that pendant.  Who could be interested in such things?

Abberline:  The pira ...  *stops and smiles innocently at Manouche, sighs*  Isn't it ever over?  What is the danger - the soul box is ... neutralized *frowns, as he thinks of Victoria in the box* … and Marchand is dead.  But there are many people interested in such trinkets.  Maybe it is Malachi?  He's a pira ... he's an alchemist.  And he's untrustworthy.

Manouche *looks at Abberline, puzzled*  How can ye say that about Malachi?  After he’s helped save both our lives in th’ past.  He worked with ye to get me out o’ th’ box, how can ye forget that?  An’ he came t’ yer assist when ye were stuck in th’ hospital, not to mention other times when he helped ye recover from th’ effects of th’ opium.  Anyway, it weren’t him, because he showed up outside Bournemouth House that very day, right after it ‘appened.  When I come to an’ checked Kat to make sure she were sound, I went outside, remember? … an’ he showed up.  I told ‘im everythin’, an’ he were right surprised by it all.  I’ve known ‘im many years, mate, an’ I can always tell when he’s lyin’.  *thinks for a moment, then her eyes widen*  If th’ person who has it knows what it can do to Kat, then it’s got t’ be someone who don’t fancy us pirates.  An’ who in this town dislikes all pirates on principle?  *glances at Godalming, then back to Abberline*  Portsmith.

Abberline *averts his gaze*  All right, all right, he is the saint and the knight ...

Godalming *looks at him very intently, remembers the scene at Malachi's house when Manouche was rescued*  Is that so?  Inspector, he didn't say a single bad word of you.  *nods and smiles knowingly at Abberline before he continues*  I don't think it was Malachi, it isn't in his style at all.  He does not seem to be after power, and I have been now living under his roof for days.  Maybe he is not the most honest man in the world, but he is a good man.  And as you yourself say, he is an alchemist.  What would he need the pendant for?  But your suggestion, Miss Manouche, is an interesting one.  I have heard much of Commander Portsmith, but never met her yet.

Abberline:  But I do know her.  She would not hesitate to use the pendant.  She hates all pirates, indeed, and for some odd reason especially Kat.  She is too impatient to use any magical objects needing special ceremonies.  Maybe it was Corso, he is a sly one and he knows lots about black magic.  Such things interest him and he has no conscience.

Godalming:  But you forget that the user did probably not know what he was doing.

Abberline:  What makes you think that the user of the pendant did not know what he was doing?  It could have been an attack directed at Kat.  An intentional attack on her.

Godalming:  In which case the evidence points again to Commander.  As you said, Miss Manouche.  *turns to Manouche*  I know now that she brought the soul box to Deppville and it seems to be that she is hungry for power and totally ruthless.  And being impatient, as you say, Inspector, she might just try out something without caring to read first, so to say, any instruction manuals.

Manouche *can’t help but grin at Godalming’s assessment of Portsmith*  Aye, ye’ve pegged ‘er, all right.  Thing is, I know she’s never cared fer us pirates, but … I never really thought she would intentionally do somethin’ that would truly harm us.  I always thought it were a grudgin’ admiration to some extent, savvy?  Oh th’ contempt were always evident, but … blimey, this is so sinister.  I never figured th’ Commander fer that sorta thing.  Then again, it’s true, she does love power, an’ she did want th’ soul box an’ all its potential.  *shrugs*  I always believed she were beginnin’ to become corrupted by its influence.  I thought per’aps I were doin’ her a service when I nicked it from her.  *looks at Abberline*  Ye say th’ Commander dislikes Kat in particular ‘fer some odd reason.’  Surely ye ain’t so blind, Fred?  She dislikes Kat because she still fancies you.  I don’t believe she’d actually want t’ kill Kat to put a stop to yer life together as a couple, but I wouldn’t put it past her to wish her harm an’ unhappiness, or to go to lengths t’ break up yer marriage.  *looks at Godalming*  I also agree with th’ Inspector that Corso could very well be involved in this.  Now, the challenge … how do we find out if we’re right?  Ye know I can’t go anywhere near Chateau Blanchefort, I’d be arrested on th’ spot.  *looks at Abberline, grins*  Ye could cash in on yer right to thrash Corso!  Tell ‘im ye’ll let ‘im off th’ hook fer th’ lousy trick he played on us … if he’ll help us find out about th’ pendant.

Abberline:  Fancies me?  By trying to get me confined for drug use, locking me up with Marchand, firing me ... Indeed.  I doubt she would go as far as kill anyone, but who knows, maybe she had the soul box too long.  She firmly believes that Deppville is her own little city and the citizens would not cope on their own without her protecting them from pirates and everything else she sees as a threat.  She is more after praise and admiration than power itself.  *shrugs*  Maybe she has the pendant.  Or maybe Corso has it.  *rising up to a sitting position on the bed*  And if it indeed is so, we have to get the pendant from her, before she understands the potential of it, before she understands the connection to Kat's tattoo.  It would be of no avail to try to explain the dangers of it to her, she would only grow more curious.  And she has an amazing ability of forgetting her failures, after a time they simply don't exist to her anymore.  I wish I could protect Kat better than I have done ...

Godalming:  Then I suggest that you should investigate into it, especially since you know the Commander so well.

Abberline:  To go to the castle and ask if she has the pendant and get thrown into one of her dungeons?

Godalming:  Surely you are now undermining your professional skills.

Abberline:  I am so tired of all this.  Manouche, when will it end?  I wish that Kat and I could settle down in peace - as much as it is possible with her … *smiles*  But I wouldn't want her to change ....  Just don't tell it to her.

Manouche:  I didn’t say it were a healthy fancy that Porsmith feels fer ye, mate.  It’s a curious fact o’ life, people aren’t always good an’ kind to th’ ones they love.  *pauses*  There are ways to find out about this, though, without any of us ‘avin’ to go t’ Chateau Blanchefort.  We could start with Corso.  *looks at Abberline, takes his hand again*  Ye ‘ave no business runnin’ about investigatin’ this right now, luv … ye need to recover.  I can help ye with talkin’ to Corso.  I could find ‘im even now, while yer recuperatin’.  I recently discovered one o’ his secret hideouts in From Hell Court.  I even ‘ave some leverage with ‘im, as it were.  I ‘appen to know his passion fer books, an’ I ‘ave many rare volumes that I’d be willin’ to part with to get to th’ bottom o’ this.  Corso can be counted on to do what ye ask, as long as yer able to pay ‘im what he wants.  I’ll go look for ‘im right away.  There’s no time to lose on this.  I’ll come back an’ let ye know what I find out th’ minute I ‘ave any news.  But I want ye t’ promise me ye’ll stay put, ‘ere in bed, luv, an’ let Kat, an’ Raven an’ Miranda all take care o’ ye.  Once yer sound again, then ye can deal with th’ Commander, but not before.  Savvy?  It’ll jus’ be that much easier fer her to get th’ upper hand over ye if yer in a weakened state.  I know th’ gunshot wound weren’t life-threatenin’, but it still were no small matter.  An' I also want someone t' let me know if Kat starts feelin' anythin' strange at all, after her ordeal.  Her time's gettin' close, I can tell.  Send Raven fer me, ye know I'll come runnin' when she needs me.  *squeezes his hand*  As fer when will it end … well, luv, ye’ve married a pirate, so I don’t know that th’ tumultuous life will ever end altogether.  Jus’ be glad the pirate yer with is Kat, an’ not ol’ Manouche … ye’d ‘ave had twice th’ trouble with me, an’ no beautiful baby daughter on th’ way.  *shakes her head, murmurs*  Blimey, th’ grief I must’ve caused poor Mr. Blake, with all me misadventures.  *smiles, lets go of Abberline’s hand, steps toward the door*  I reckon I’d best go find Corso right away. 

Raven *appears in the doorway, carrying a tray with three cups of coffee*  Sorry it took so long … *looks at Manouche*  Are you leavin’ already?

Manouche *smiles*  Aye, I am, luv.  I ‘ave things t’ tend to, savvy?  *takes one of the cups, walks over to the dresser, where she had set her Cup de la Sippy, picks it up, opens it, pours the coffee in*  There, I’ll ‘ave it to go, jus’ like when I arrived, ay?  Cheers, lil’ mate.  *looks at Abberline, then Godalming*  Is there anythin’ else I can do before I go?  Anythin’ else I should know?

Abberline:  Don't say that.  Blake, he was - he is - a very fortunate fellow ...  Be careful with Corso, Manouche.  I'll promise, I will stay here.  Before you go, could you check on Kat?  It must have been such a harrowing experience to her.

Godalming *stands again up as Manouche takes her leave*  Good bye, Miss Manouche.  Inspector, if you don't mind, I'd have a word with you.

Abberline *shrugs*  If you wish.

At Sparrow Lane:

Kat *Sits before the ancient chest in her house at Sparrow Lane.  She'd slipped away from Bournemouth House to come here.  Recalls True Dreamers words.  (When the time is right you'll know what to do.)  She was right, of course.  The lid of the chest creaks loudly as she lifts it.  She removes a box and places it on the floor beside her and opens it.  She knows that each item in the chest holds the power to protect against evil, but only if it's given as a gift of love and sacrifice.  She picks up the feather first, this is meant for Raven.  Then the gold locket; she smiles at the magical image within.  She now knows the image is Chiana.  This is for Abby.  The cross on the chain is Chiana's at birth, along with a pearl and sapphire necklace, which will be given to her on her 16th birthday.  The silver framed feather is Ichy's, and the hair comb and belt buckle are for Manouche.  She sighs and turns to remove another item from the larger chest, a goblet.  It too is special, but in a much different way.  It didn't come from True Dreamer, she'd never have approved of it, but it was the means to her sacrifice when the time came.  She'd have to take the chest to Manouche and explain its contents to her, all but the goblet.  She'd have to see someone else about that.  Returning to Bournemouth House, she slips unnoticed upstairs and hides the box.  Enters Raven's room, sees he hasn't returned; she relaxes on his bed.*