Act 1, Scene 3

"Take at least one good jacket," I told Rabbie. "I want you to make a good impression."

He sighed, took some of his old shirts out and rummaged in his wardrobe. "He'd better be worth it, who we're seeing."

"Oh, he is. He's amazing." I blushed when I realized how that sounded. "He's one of the best ballet dancers I know," I added quickly.

Rabbie grunted, sitting on top of his suitcase and trying to zip it. "Here, let me try," I said. I expertly moved his belongings around and closed the lid easily. This did not improve my brother's mood in the least.

"And what'll I do after I've been introduced I don't know. You two will be off chatting and dancing and doing who knows what and I'll be left to decide how to spend the next few months. I can't even have fun in my casual clothes."

I rolled my eyes, but chose to keep peace. I didn't want him to get sick of me already – we'd have to spend at least a week together traveling. "You can change."

At the docks, I faced my friends for the last time until…I got back. I wasn't sure how long I would stay in Paris, but knowing Rabbie he would drag me back before my friends missed me too much. Bridget was also there, having taken a day off from her new job as a waiter. She now stood next to Syd, her dark hair dancing behind her in the wind.

"Take care, Cat," she said, hugging me tightly.
"I will." My reply was muffled by her embrace.

I moved onto Syd. "You come back in one piece; that's all I ask," he said gruffly.
"I'll try." I looked up at him, grateful that he'd understood why I had to go.

Frank looked uncertain. He bowed, hesitated and then pulled me into a hug. "Don't let anyone rob you."
I laughed. "I can't promise until I'm in J-F's territory, but if anyone does I'd know just what to do."

I then moved and opened my mouth to bid Pedro goodbye, but remembered at the last moment my brother was at war. So I address the words to my other friends. "Goodbye. I'll be back before you know it, probably thanks to Rabbie." Syd patted him on the back and told him, "You keep her safe." Then we turned and followed the other passengers onto the boat.

As the sea wind whistled past my ears, I sipped my glass of punch. "Isn't it beautiful?" I murmured to Rabbie. "It's alright," he admitted grudgingly. "Doubt it'll be like this the whole way through, though."

"You'll be right. Life on a ship is no breeze – there are rocks, storms and other dangers, you have limited rations, the captain is cruel, there is a man paid to keep you in check, you are wanted for assassinating one of your best friend's cousins…" I got carried away with memories from my time on the HMS Courageous, sinking into my deck chair and enjoying the luxurious comfort of not having to do work while I was on board.

The next few days were lovely, depleted mostly by admiring the view and showing off to my new sailor friends. I'd even offered to take part in their duties, as I wanted my hands to harden again before I saw J-F. I didn't want him to realize I'd been lounging in smart morning rooms while he was working to feed his empire and himself. Besides, with a friendly environment I was sure the activities I had been forced to take part in on board the British Navy could be quite fun. But the captain told me kindly that his reputation would be ruined if anyone found out he'd let a passenger work with his crew, and the fact that I was a girl did not help the circumstances. So I had to watch with itching fingers while my friends skylarked, took turns in the crow's nest and did all the duties I was familiar with.

As the barge docked at the bay, I bid the kindly captain and his crew goodbye while Rabbie was bursting to get on dry land. I decided to put his energy to good use and handed him my bags to carry as well as his own. Surprisingly, he barely protested.

"Nearly there yet?" grunted Rabbie, dragging our suitcases after him. I whistled cheerfully. "Not in the least."
He groaned and I grinned at his discomfort. We were actually almost at our destination, but I was teaching him that excursions with me weren't easy. As a red-bricked station appeared in front of us I hoped to God there was at least one decent horse and driver. I hadn't forgotten my first time in Paris when I was pretending to be a ballerina and had to travel in the shabbiest carriage with a drunk driver and a broken down horse. This would not be a good first impression to Rabbie, and I wanted him to like Paris.

"One carriage big enough for us and our luggage, please," I told the footman in fluent French. He nodded and glanced at our bags, then went inside. A moment later another man appeared from the back, holding a whip and leading a speckled grey horse drawing a reasonable coach. I let go of a breath I hadn't realized I was holding. Rabbie breathed a sighed of relief as the man took the cases from him and stowed them away. "Me name's Bob," he told us, lisping a little because of his pipe. "Me an' Suzie here –" he patted the horse – "we'll get ye around Paris in no time. Where're you wanting to go?"
"To the next station on the road to The Opera, please."
Rabbie nudged me when we got into the coach: "What were you saying?"
I smirked, writing a mental note to annoy him by blabbing in French whenever possible. "Oh, just the usual stuff. You know, him asking me about having brothers and me telling him he could have mine anytime."
Rabbie rolled his eyes and looked out the window.

"Right, you stay here and I'll go talk to that skivvy over there." I told Rabbie. As I walked to the side of the Opera, where the girl was emptying chamber pots, I crossed my fingers hard and prayed that Renard was still the concierge. "Excuse moi?" I called. The girl lifted her head.
"Do you know anyone called Renard?"
She hesitated. "You mean the old concierge?"
I groaned. "Has he retired?" Now I had no idea where to find him.
The girl nodded. "But I can show you where he lives, if you want."

"Oh, you don't have to. I wouldn't want to take you away from your work or anything…" My protests were shoved aside as the girl leaped up and walked onto the streets. I suppose her job wasn't too exciting. I looked back at Rabbie and shrugged to answer his questioning look. "Wait!" I called to the girl. She stopped and turned around. I ran to Bob. "Is it okay if this girl comes with us? We'll pay for her." Bob smiled. "Sure, if all of you can fit."
I beckoned to the girl and she bounded over. "Do we get to go in this?" she asked, delighted. I nodded. She clambered in joyfully and whispered in Bob's ear. He nodded. "You're going to see the little king?"
I was surprised. I didn't think J-F and his grandfather got on too well, and I would never have suggested that they live together. "I suppose so, if that's where he is."

Ahh! They're meeting again for the first time in years in the next chapter! Please leave a review, they always make my day.