Gypsy Rhapsody- Bond

When we make it to the attic I leaned against the wall; luckily my burst of adrenaline from hanging from the windowsill gave me the energy to run up to the attic. But every time I used magic it drained my energy, so now I felt exhausted. Basil had his arms folded and his foot was tapping with impatience. "Do I even need to say it?" He asked me in frustration.

I look at Dawson for help and he waves for me to say something. "I'm sorry?"

Basil face-palms his face with annoyance. "That's all you have to say!"

"I wasn't the one who locked me inside my own room." I retorted.

Basil sighed. "I was trying to keep you out of trouble."

"By doing something completely psychotic? How does locking me in my room keeping me safe? I had to propel out the window with bed sheets and curtains." I realized that telling him that was a big mistake.

Basil sputtered. "You—what! You—er—" He eerily calms down to give me a patient smile that was quickly waning. "I'm not going to get mad. Despite the fact you've endangered your life multiple times and disobeyed me…NOW THAT IS PSYCHOTIC!" He exploded.

"Oh really?" I huffed while pushing myself off the wall. "Basil if I didn't come here you all would've been caught by Dr. Joylott!"

"You were hanging out of two windows in a single hour!"

"Stop being such a—" I stop and simply glare at him.

"A what? Miss Belladonna?"

"A pigheaded jerk!"

"This coming from the girl who is dropping out of school! When, pray tell, were you going to let me know you were throwing your life down the drain? After or before you jumped out a window?"

"Ugh, it's not a big deal, I'm just getting a bachelor's instead of a Master's—which I've just received, so I can simply leave. I did it so I can spend more time with you!"

"What! Why?"

"Because I love you, you idiot!" I fumed.

Basil's brow stopped furrowing as he smiled ludicrously. "Really? You dropped school just to spend more time with me?"

"Don't give yourself too much credit; I'm still angry with you." I grumbled as I walk away from him.

Basil sighed. "Don't worry love, I forgive you."

I stop. "Excuse me?"

"I forgive you for—" He began but I was instantly in front of him.

"Look here, Basil Holmice, I don't want your forgiveness because I will not be apologizing—now stop gawking at me and let's get back to the task at hand." I turn around and walked over to the middle of the attic.


Basil looks over to Dawson and motions to her: What did I do wrong?

Dawson simply shook his head with a chuckle as he leads his friend over to Belladonna. Basil peers at Belladonna and saw her fur was slightly raised from their tiff and chuckled. Belladonna looks at him and scowls making Basil stop laughing and clear his throat. "Philimus!" Basil called for his friend and soon something dark fluttered over to them.


We see a dark brown bat child. He peered at us with wide brown eyes. I noticed that the little boy had a long tail and his ears were strangely round. The little bat did a strange little walk in which he hopped around from one foot to another until he was in front of me. He was little…he holds up his wings for me to hold him and I instantly complied. He cuddled into me and I cooed. "Aw, you're so cute, what's your name sweetie?"

The bat looks at me and grabs something from his brightly-colored shirt. It was a note that read: Edward Joylott.

I felt nervous as I read Joylott, it must be the little boy Violet told us about, but I smiled. "Nice to meet you Edward, my name is Belladonna."

Edward grabs something from his pocket and gives it to me. I see it's a belladonna flower. He gives it to me as he takes the card back. "Oh thank you," I tell him as I put the flower in my hair. A gnat suddenly started to buzz around us and before I could wave it away Edward snatches it out of the air. He offers the squished bug to me and I queasily said. "No thanks," I tried not to feel nauseous as he eats it.

"Belladonna, perhaps we should get back to the task at hand?" Basil asked me saucily.

I shoot him a glare, but agreed. "Well my arms are getting tired." I try to put him down, but he holds onto me stubbornly.

Basil sighs and was about to take Edward from me, but the boy bared his sharp teeth and took a swipe at Basil. Basil dodged the hit and I giggle as Edward wrapped his wings around me. Dawson comes to the rescue and motions to the boy. "Come on lad, Miss Belladonna is getting tired, but I can hold you on my shoulders."

Edward smiles and leaps over to Dawson and flies onto his shoulders. Dawson chortles. "What an energetic lad."

"Yes." Basil frowned as the child stuck his tongue out at him.

A voice suddenly answers. "Huh, I knew you didn't like children Basil, but I never knew they didn't like you as well." We see Philimus fly down as he taunted Basil.

Basil smirked dryly at the jibe, but turned serious. "Dr. Joylott is back early from his trip and we a place to stay to stakeout the manor; preferably somewhere on the estate?"

"Asking me for help are you?" Philimus grinned.

"Yes, I'm quite desperate." Basil retorted.

"Very well, there's a pear tree we all reside in during nice weather. The cheetah and baboon don't go near because it's next to the mastiff's cage, but it's boarded up so much that it can't snip at us at all." He turns to me with a bright smile. "Why hello again Miss Belladonna," He shakes my hand warmly, and whispers to me. "Want to make him jealous?"

I realized he heard our earlier argument and nod happily; wondering what tricks we'd be pulling on Basil.

Philimus turns to Dawson and Basil who were curious as to what he said. "I'll fly you all to the tree…" He turns to me with a devilish smile. "Ladies first." He kneels on the ground. "Now get on my back." I do as he says and he tells me. "You'll slip off if you don't hold on with your legs; and you need to hold onto me tightly." He shoots Basil a mischievous grin and Basil looked like he wasn't taking the joke so well. I held onto Philimus tightly and tried not to laugh as Basil warned. "Watch where you put your claws Philimus,"

"Now Basil, I would never steal your woman." He winks at me. "But I will play with her a bit." As he says this he jumps into the air and flies off. I hold onto Philimus tightly and gasped as we flew out of the attic. I looked down and saw we were high in the air; I could see the entire estate. I was a little scared and cringed as we swooped in loops. Philimus laughs. "Great isn't it!"

I lift my head up from his neck and grin. "Yes, it's amazing!"

"Wrap your legs around me and put your arms up; Violet loves to do that." He tells me.

I do as I was told and laugh happily as the wind spun around my body and I felt the speed lift my spirit. I decided to have some fun and tell Philimus. "Want to see a magic trick?"

Philimus nods eagerly and I let go of him. Philimus shouts in surprise as I glide through the air next to him. He quickly catches me on his back. "You gave me a heart attack! It looked as though you were flying!"

I nod sleepily; confused why such a simple trick drained me so much. I held onto Philimus weakly. "Miss Belladonna, are you alright?" he asks. I lift my head and freeze when I see a black shadow standing in the window… a human window. I barely noticed my arms and legs slipping from Philimus's body as I stared at the frightful figure. It was like the wind was taking my breath away and I finally collapse from the lack of air and fatigue. I tumbled through the air as I heard yells of distress. Through my unconscious state I felt a sharp pain shoot through my arms.


Basil waited impatiently for Philimus and hears someone running up the stairs and could tell it was Miss Violet. He and Dawson see her race in. She stops in front of them and takes a few breaths before saying. "Simza didn't give me up…it's so strange; she knows you're here and told me I should hide you from my father."

"That is strange." Dawson agreed as Edward hops off Dawson to cling to Violet's legs.

"Hello Edward," She pats his head warmly. "He wasn't any trouble was he?"

"No, of course not," Dawson replied.

Basil murmurs. "Well…"

"Basil." Dawson curtly warned.

Basil shrugs and tells Violet. "The plan will still be in motion for tonight; just keep your doors locked and remember to signal us."

Violet nods and she looks up with a smile as Philimus flew in, but frowned when she saw his face. Philimus landed and looked at Basil with a guilty expression. "What happened?" Basil barked as he raced over.

Philimus wrung his clawed hands. "Belladonna and I were flying, but she—Basil I'm sorry I should have—"

Basil grabbed Philimus's shoulders and gave him a shake to clear his head. "What happened Philimus!"

"She fell," Everyone gasped as Basil's eyes widened. "But I caught her. She fainted when we were flying; I brought her to the tree and my father is looking after her. I accidently scraped her arms up when I caught her." he shows his clawed hand-like feet. "I'm sorry, I was flying loops and it must've caused her to faint. I should've been more careful—"

"Philimus, I'll forgive you when you take me to her." Basil jumps onto Philimus's back as they flew off.

Dawson watches his friends with worry; hoping Belladonna was alright. He then realized he was left behind. "Dash it all!" he muttered; wondering why Basil brought him at all if he was going to be forgotten.


As they swoop into the tree Basil hopped off Philimus and onto a branch. He looked around for Belladonna, but to no avail. He then groans in frustration; he wouldn't be able to help her without Dawson…who he stupidly left behind.

"Philimus—" Basil was about to tell him to get Dawson, but he interrupts.

"I'll get him." Philimus flies off quickly as he added. "Just ask around for my father; he's looking after Miss Belladonna."

Basil looks around quickly and sees a young bat-lady up a few branches. He climbs up the coarse tree trunk to her and asks. "Excuse me my dear, but do you know where Jasper Fern is?"

The girl opens her eyes and Basil sees that they were dark-green, but they examined him with distrust and surprise. "What do you want with Jasper?"

"I need to see him about an urgent matter." Basil replied with impatience. "Now will you tell me where he is?"

Lydia hops down from her perch. "If you bring Jasper any trouble—."

Basil tells her that he is a friend in Romani. Lydia blinks with wonder and asks in the same tongue how he knew Romani. Basil replies that Philimus taught him a few phrases. At this she smiles and says in English. "Then you must be the fantastic Basil of Baker Street!" She takes his arm. "My name is Lydia. Come, Jasper is up here. I apologize for being hostile, but you should never trust a stranger." He realized that the girl was Jasper's niece that the old bat adopted.

"You are wise to do so Miss Lydia." Basil tells her and she blushes at the praise and holds his arm tighter. They finally make it up to the tree and see Jasper watching over an unconscious Belladonna. Basil goes over to Belladonna and sees her sleeves were torn and she bleeding a bit. He rips her sleeves off and starts bandaging her up as she stirred.


I felt like I was hit by a truck and open my eyes. I jolted up when I didn't notice my surroundings. Strong paws hold me in place and I see Basil. He was staring at me with grave concern and I try to give him a smile, but he sighed. "This is why I wanted you to stay at the inn."

I frown at him and suddenly remember the shadow. I jump up and look through the branches fearfully, but the shadow wasn't in the window…like it was never there.

"Belladonna?" Basil puts a hand on my shoulder. I turn to him, but decided to keep my mouth shut about the shadow; it would distract him too much from the case and Violet needed his help right now.

"I can't believe I fainted." I lied while keeping my shaking paws behind my back.

Basil leads me back to my seat and I noticed my sleeves were ripped off and I wore them as…bandages? I look at Basil and he explains that Philimus caught me when I fell, but his claws scratched up my arms.

I suddenly hear a chuckle and look up into a face of a dark brown bat. I gasp in surprise as the bat tells me. "Not to fear Miss, my name is Jasper Fern, and I can see you are Basil's woman Philimus told me about. Don't worry, you're all safe here. We've been watching you since Philimus brought you here." He hung upside down casually as he smiled down at me.

I smile and curtsy. "Thank you Mr. Fern, it's a pleasure to meet you."

I see another bat standing next to Basil while swaying her brightly colored skirts. She was around my size; tiny. She also had large jade-green eyes. I introduce myself to her. "Nice to meet you; I'm Belladonna."

Lydia looks between me and Basil and says. "Hello, my name is Lydia."

We then hear some flapping.

I see Philimus and Dawson fly up to us. I walk up to Philimus. "I'm sorry I've caused you so much trouble Philimus."

Philimus shakes his head. "Do Americans usually apologize for things that aren't their fault?" He then becomes serious. "I apologize as well, I should have been more careful. I am fortunate that Basil has not strangled me yet."

We look over at Basil who narrowed his eyes at Philimus and then scoffed. "I told you! I'm not angry with you!"

Philimus sighed. "I'm afraid our little joke went too far, huh Miss Belladonna?"

"Joke? What in the—" Basil exclaims, but I cut in:

"Don't worry Philimus, he's just grumpy because I'm continuing to rebel against him."

"For God's sakes, I'm standing right next to you! And what is this about a joke! Don't tell me fainting was a part of it!" Basil looked annoyed and flustered as he appraised us. He then acknowledges Dawson. "Oh, hello old chap."

"Finally remembered me eh?" Dawson huffed while crossing his arms.

"Hehe," Basil nervously laughed. "Who said I forgot you?"

Dawson rolled his eyes and goes over to me to check my arms. "Well, I am surprised you managed to bind her up correctly, but why on earth would you use her sleeves?"

Basil waved his hand at this dismissively. "Does it matter?"

"Yes!" I retorted.

Basil nervously grinned at me and shrugged his shoulders as I scoff. I then shake my head and smiled. "You were that worried that you couldn't wait for Dawson?"

Basil raised his eyebrows at me like I've asked one of the most ridiculous questions. "Of course I was worried. Now," he gets out his travel pipe and lights it. "Let's get back to matter at hand."

We all sit together as we watch the house silently. I sit in a branch with Philimus as Dawson and Basil sit above us. I see Basil was patiently smoking, but I knew he was wound tight and ready to spring into action quickly.

Dawson wrote some things in his journal and asked Basil. "Are you going to give us any hint as to what will happen Basil?" Philimus and I look up at Basil with excitement to hear his deductions.

"No Dawson," Basil answered slyly. "I can however elaborate on what has happened." Philimus flies up to the branch as I climb onto it to listen. There was a lantern in the center of our group that was a beacon in the dark twilight. Basil inhales his pipe and begins his deductions:

"I am afraid that murder has taken place by the hand of Dr. Joylott."

Philimus hissed in a breath and cursed in Romani as I listened gravely.

"As Miss Violet described; the human tenants keep a variety of wild animals that the doctor domesticated to his will. There is one animal that she had yet to see, but she has encountered the beast when she was investigating the safe." Dawson scribbled down Basil's every word as the detective paused to takes another drag of his pipe. "A thin snake, most likely from the African region like the other animals, it is a snake that has been slithering around the vents; the prints in the dust were proof of that as well as the milk in the human room (a liquid snakes are attracted to). The flute music Violet has heard was played by Joylott to guide the serpent into Alice's room. He used the pipe in his room to make the sound travel to the snake that slithered through the vents at night; most likely sent in by a human to catch…rodents. The doctor knew that Alice's vent led to the larger one and he commanded the snake with his music to travel there." Basil's face turned grim as he tells us. "The snake sensed Miss Alice and crept through the vent as the beast swallowed her up while slithering back to its abode."

"The shadow in the room has been the snake that crawls passed the vent at night as Joylott tries to send it to get Miss Violet!" Dawson concluded in horror as Basil nodded solemnly.

"Why does he do this Basil?" I ask him as my voice shook.

"Money." Basil stated simply. "As Miss Violet said, their mother left them a fortunate sum that can only be given to them when they marry. Joylott, already on the verge of destitution, desperately wants this money. I have a feeling it's for his illegitimate son Edward or perhaps it is just pure greed and desperation. I can never truly comprehend worldly greed, nor do I wish too; all I know is to what means a animal takes to achieve capital for their own selfish needs." He stands to look at the mansion. "Dr. Joylott will be preparing himself to lead the serpent, like the classic snake charmer, to Alice's room to consume Miss Violet. When she gives us the signal from the safety of her room we will move in."

"And do what Basil?" Dawson asked in surprise.

"Why, bring Joylott to justice, save Miss Violet, and kill the serpent." Basil told us casually with a maniac grin.

Dawson blinked. "Kill the snake!"

"Precisely."

"Basil…" Dawson moaned in exasperation as I stared at him in shock.

"It needs to be done." Philimus finally said. He looked tired and his dark eyes glinted dangerously. "The snake has already tasted rodent's blood—it will continue to hunt and kill…just like Dr. Joylott."

Dawson sighed and nodded. "You're right," he turns to Basil. "But how on earth are we going to kill a snake?"

"Quite simple really," Basil answered. "Do you have your revolver?"

"Of course." Dawson shows him the gun.

"Don't miss." Basil told him with a wink as Dawson huffed in vexation.


Brother breaks into author's room. "B & E!" (Breaking and Entering.)

"What the-" Author jumps up. "Oh it's you."

"Yeah it's me; where have you been? Why haven't you been updating!"

"I've been busy with school-"

"No. Your readers don't deserve waiting for so long for a update. You sicken me."

"I'm sorry!"

"You better be. You didn't even warn me you were going to be so late with the next chapter. I can't stand to look at you."

"Is it b/c of my face?"

"That too." ^.^

"Grrs."

"Please tell me what's going to happen sis!"

"Well my updates will take longer than expected. Next time we should have some action-"

"This chapter made me laugh- I mean Bella managing to fall while flying- she wasn't even flying! Classic damsel."

"Hey it wasn't her fault!"

"Oh yeah; that creepy shadow..."

"You'll be seeing him."

"And the snake?"

"Yeps."

"PhilimusxViolet?"

"Maybe."

"Marten saving the day?"

"No; Basil and Dawson."

"Who help Marten."

"No; Marten helps them."

"But he's the main hero."

"No he's not!"

"Yeah he is."

"Sigh. R&R faithful and patient readers. Pretty please and thanks." (I own nothing but the OC's.)