The great adventurer Falcon may have been a noble, let me assure you, but he still found it rather odd to be bathed by other people. The French and their customs baffled the aviator as they cleaned his underarm, his nose, and, of coarse, behind his ears. The French found this most amusing, let me tell you! With every single brush or scrub, Falcon reacted in a way as if trying to save his soul. Ah, the bathing room was a fine piece of architecture. The ceiling was coated in a mural of angels trumpeting the good lord in a beautiful fan fare. The people of earth happily celebrated God's greatness on the warm green grass. There were chips in the paint, and cracks in the marble it was painted on. This could tell Falcon that it was an old painting from possibly the late renaissance area. This was an old, well-known manor. It wouldn't be too surprising. The tub, below the domed ceiling of God, was built into the floor. Made of fine Italian marble, white naturally with streaks of gray running through, the bathtub was large enough to fit ten Falcons. Red pillars sat in the four corners upholding the roof. Fine sinks with running water adorned the wall, with exquisite mirrors circumference by gold. Twas a grand restroom, worth several thousand, if not million, pounds. The only other house Falcon had witnesses such splendor in the rest room was the governor of India's, whose abode was fifteen times grander than any of the princes of that same commonwealth.

The only problem with this bathroom was the many many people constantly scrubbing away at Falcon's fine physique. He swatted once or twice in an attempt to grab a brush, but failed every time.

"Alright guys! I'm clean! You can stop now! Ow! Hey, watch out! I'm delicate!" falcon shouted.

The staff ignored his many pleads and moans until he was a sparkling gentleman. Once the wash was over, Falcon was saddened by the loss of his aviators suit. The red clothing had been sent to the laundry's version of the rack and sentenced to death by clean. Falcon, stark naked save the towel around his waist, sighed as he watched his famous suit being tortured in the laundry roller.

Next it was time to get dressed. Being told that his suit was not proper to wear in front of the lady Swan, Falcon was forced to wear the thing he hated the most. He frowned as he looked at himself in fifteen mirrors of all sizes and places in a small, green-carpeted room. The lighting was provided by Mr. Tesla and Mr. Edison's famous electricity and light bulbs, which sat comfortably in the fixture upon the red ceiling.

"Oh man. I feel all weird in this monkey suit." Falcon moaned. He tightened the black bow tie upon his neck and constantly fidgeted with the tails upon his tuxedo. Admit tingly, he did look rather well for an adventurer.

It had been most of the afternoon and Falcon was now even more exhausted than before. Night had fallen upon Manches once again. Early evening drew its cloak over the city, forcing the human beings to flip the switches, pull the chains, and light the candles. The street lamps were just turning on as most people made their way home. It was night and the murderer might be out again.

But Falcon and Ms. Julia hadn't fear the night stalker right now for they were deep within the lair of the Swan family, and only the crazy people would strike a house like this. But then again, Jack or Other Jack was a crazy psychotic fiends.

Julia sat at the end of the long banquet table. Her blonde curls were framed by a diamond tiara that beautifully matched her silver earrings and white banquet gown. She looked extravagant take my word for it. Gourmand was just finishing the final preparations on his wonderful roast duck with fresh leeks. He kissed his fingers and blessed the fowl that would soon be a part of an important meeting. After all, Gourmand had gotten Julia into this mess with master Falcon and he intended to make sure it went well.

"Mousier Duck, do taste well tonight. Fatten up that British adventurer and make sure he agrees to anything the good girl has to say." Gourmand placed his wishes on the feast.

Julia tapped her fingers once again on the banquet table. Surly no doubt that Falcon will want to bring up the old days. Days of love and romance. Days upon the old rowboat on a spring afternoon, drifting underneath a weeping willows green vines. Days Julia would rather not talk about.

"That damned adventurer…" She moaned. "He was always coming and going, treating me like a story book of which he can come visit when ever he pleases."

"Ahem!" the butler cleared his throat loudly. He emerged at the far end of the hall with a very clean and nicely dressed Falcon. He turned to Falcon and gestured with his hands to find a seat. Falcon smiled a nervous smile, not knowing exactly what to say. Which chair do I pick? Which chair do I choose? He found himself thinking these questions at the speed of a train.

Julia watched Falcon with determined eyes. Oh please don't let him sit right here! Please don't! She silently prayed. Both had their fears and ambitions, but they were also both silent.

Falcon found himself a chair about three down from Julia. He pulled it out, adjusted the tails on his tux, and sat himself down. Once down, he clasped his fingers together and looked towards his host. His most beautiful host.

"So Mr. Falcon, …how's been life?" Julia stuttered. She instantly hated herself for saying it.

"Please, call me Falcon, remember?" Falcon insisted.

"Ah, yes. Falcon." Julia pretended to smile.

"Quite. Oh…I can't complain really. Pride's out on another quest –he's seeking the out the famous soldiers of China, you know. – and I've been enjoying life in Londo to my pleasure. Taking it easy…"

"Pride…your father right?"

"Of coarse! Julia, it sounds like you've forgotten everything about me over these long years!"

Gourmand entered the hall, showcasing his latest masterpiece, the roast duck. Now, this duck was not the kind of small mallard you're thinking of. This duck was the size of a goose! Incredible in size it was that in life it must have snapped both legs every time it tried to walk!

"Lady Julia, Master Falcon. Dinner I served. Roast duck with fresh leeks! From our own garden!" Gourmand smiled.

"It looks marvelous Gourmand! You've really outdone yourself this time!" Julia complemented.

"All for you Julia." Gourmand winked. "All for you." He then started a tune to himself and carried his fat weight towards the kitchen door.

"Man! Would you look at this bird! It's enormous!" Falcon was really impressed.

"It is rather fat isn't it? He must have been a giant among ducks in the pond!" Julia giggled.

"Giant? He must have been colossal to the other ducks! Other ducks probably mistaken him for a sea serpent!" Falcon laughed.

"He certainly is huge! Hahahaha! This must be his power stone stage!" Julia laughed.

Falcon reclined in his chair and looked at Julia, who was still laughing. "You mentioned power stones?"

"Hahaha! Oh…yes I did. I know just as much about myth and lore as you do Mr. Falcon!" Julia teased the aviator.

"Oh really! Then who are the soldiers of China?" Falcon begun a test.

"Several statues un earthed near Beijing!" Next?"

"Good. What is Quetzaquotal?"

"A god to the primitive savages of ancient Mexico! Surly you can do better, adventurer!"

"Ha! I'll make good sport of you yet! The Mantis god belongs to which people?"

"…The…Bush people of the Kalahari!"

"Haha! Good Julia! You really know your anthropology!"

"As I know zoology and biology! My father has one of the most extensive animal collections in Europe!"

"As does any noble man of this age! Did you know that a Great Auk today goes for over six thousand pounds!"

"Father has one stuffed in his collection! You may be wise in the ways of zoology and anthropology Mr. Falcon! But are you knowledgeable in the fields of the Earth?" Julia pointed her fork at Falcon.

The duck was fabulous, and there was plenty left. Falcon made sure to eat as much as he could. "Of coarse! I am knowledgeable in Animal, Vegetable, and Mineral!"

"Pirates of Penzance? What a wonderful play. I'm surprised you've seen it."

"I am a man of culture aren't I?"

"Hardly. Well, go on man! Describe your geological skills!"

"Well, I am all knowing in valuable gems! I can pick out a gold vein a mile away by its scent only! Why, just last year I visited Dawnbolta and inspected the entire silver production line! Had a bit of a scruff with the head miner, a ruffian by the name of Gunrock. My skills have gotten me porcelain from China, Oil from Persia, and Diamonds from Africa!"

"Diamonds and Oil are one thing, but do you have any in depth information on power stones?" Julia popped the big question.

"I never thought you'd ask my good woman! Power stones are my forte, my expertise! I've even held the great stone of Avalon Island!" Falcon put emphasis on every word.

"Really, I've not a clue what the great stone is or where Avalon Island is, but it certainly sounds inspiring!"

"It certainly is! The great stone is a power stone the size of …the size of one of these chairs! It's located deep within a shrine on Avalon Island, in the Bering Sea."

"My, what an awful place! But tell me, is what they say about power stones true! Can it really…you know?" Julia put herself into a whisper.

"Grant wishes? Why yes it can! I've known a few capable adventurers that snagged themselves a power stone. They instantly achieved happiness!"

"Wow… So Mr. Falcon, what did you wish for?"

Falcon looked into Julia's bright blue eyes, taking an internal sigh at her immense beauty. "I…I wasn't able to make a wish. I lost the power stone when the shrine of Avalon collapsed on itself."

Julia suddenly felt a sting of pity for the man. She glanced solemnly at the man, who had stopped gorging upon the roast duck all together. Sometimes he can be fun, she decided. Mayhap it was all these lonesome years that brewed so much hate for the man. However, she wasn't about ready to jump into his arms. She still had many dark feelings about Mr. Falcon.

Julia waited a minute or two. She hadn't really decided how she was going to word it, or to say it at all. It took her tongue a great deal of strength to finally utter the words she needed.

"Well Falcon. If what you say is true, and I can tell it is, then I have a proposition for you."

"A proposition?" Falcon questioned.

"That's right. A proposition. You have by no doubt heard of the serial killings that have plagued Manches for several months, am I correct?"

"I have heard, but by whom I haven't."

"Exactly! No one knows for sure who's doing the killings! At first, we all thought it was a psychotic leper by the name of Jack the Slayer, but-"

"Jack the Slayer?! I met up with a man dressed completely in bandages a year ago! He was definably a loon and always carried two large knives! Had I any idea that the Jack I met was Jack the Slayer, why, I would have killed him when I had the chance!" Falcon interrupted.

"Well Falcon, let me finish! It's amazing you've met Jack before, but he's been imprisoned a while ago. About four months, in late August. He currently is being held captive in the strongest cell within the Manches Dungeon. However, he's innocent! There is another leper that is killing the women at night and looting their bodies! I've…I've had a run in with this man myself. He took my best friends life four months ago. …I visited Jack in the dungeon and learned that the killer goes by the name of Other Jack. Jack mentioned a power stone and that Other Jack was born from it. For months I've been trying to hire any adventurers with experience in the power stone field that would help me capture Other Jack and prove Jack innocent! You are my only hope…Falcon."

Falcon tipped his chair backwards a bit as he leaned from the table. He had the look of deep thought upon his face.

"Please?" Julia begged.

One look into those blue eyes was all Falcon needed. He leaned forewords again and rested his elbows upon the table. "So this is the reason you summoned me from Great Britain? …All right. I'm a little hurt, but I'll take it for you. Though I can see why other adventurers turned you down. Jack was dangerous and difficult without the power stone a year ago near the White Sea, where I met Kraken. Facing a Jack born from the stone will surly be most difficult. But if there's one man that can do it, it's me!"

"Oh thank you!" Julia jumped up from her chair.

"Right. …uh…I'm going to need some money to do this." Falcon rubbed the back of his neck.

"What for? Never mind, I don't care! As long as you can rid us of this killer!"

"All right. First I'll need provisions, then …tickets. Ship tickets to be exact!"

"Ship tickets? Other Jack is here, not on the other side of the Atlantic!"

"Yes, yes I know."

"Why do you need ship Tickets?!"

Falcon sighed. "Look, normally I'd handle this killer by my self. No piece of cake. No sweat. But I don't want to lose him in a dark alley, so I'll need some help. The best adventurer seasoned in the power stone field!"

"But you won't need another person! You'll have Jack to work with!" Julia expressed.

Falcon stepped backwards. "J-Jack?! You want me to work with Jack!"

"Yes I do want you to work with Jack! Jack's the only one who knows everything about Other Jack! You'll need him!"

"And I have to keep an eye on him so he doesn't scurry off or try to stab me in the back?"

"I doubt he'll stab you in the back, but yes, you'll have to keep an eye on him. The citizens of Manches aren't too eager for Jack to get back on the streets. They don't trust him…"

"I can see why…"

"Falcon! If you're going to help prove Jack not guilty, you'll have to believe it yourself!" Julia stomped her foot.

"O.K. O.K… I got it."

"Jack's really not that bad! Really!"

"All right! Must find a powerful slayer and keep Jack at bay…Better make that a couple ship tickets.

** *