It was a rather cramped taxi, that horseless carriage. Gourmand at the wheel, Falcon up front with Ayame squeezed between them both. In the back sat Galuda to the left, Accel to the right, and Rouge in the center. Ayame's old grandmother sat on Galuda's lap, still frozen from the awesome might of French architecture. It was a black topless horseless carriage, the model T of the day and age. The tiny vehicle sputtered and rumbled under the weight through the beautiful French countryside. It was a bit cold – it was mid November, mind you – and each passenger sat underneath a thin blanket, save the front seats. Ayame had been given a scarf, which she instantly hated. It was long, blue, white, and red. It itched horribly and made her sneeze. She wished she had packed warm weather gear. As for the mighty Falcon, he was comfortable in his red aviators jacket and trousers. He was, however, uncomfortable with the fact that the American had been invited to join the quest. To Falcon, this mystery was a challenge in which the reward was a possible chance of getting back with his heart's desire Julia Swan. Master Falcon, as with most Europeans of the day, had a distrust of Americans. Still what bothered him even more, to the very marrow of his British bones, was the uncanny resemblance of the cowboy. It was as if he was Falcon's evil doppelganger. He frowned and stared out at the wooden post fence that had lined the little dirt road on both sides for hours and hours on end. Rolling green hills formed beyond the obstacle, filled with grazing bovine. As Falcon became lost in his thought, a screeching of tires woke him up and the honking of a horn. He instantly looked over to Jean-Paul, who was clad in a driver's jacket and hat, squeezing the horns bulb with his leather gloves.
"Um. …Falcon. What's going on? I can't see back here!" Rouge asked.
Falcon leaned back over his seat, nearly crushing the very irritated Ayame. "It looks like we ran into lunch."
Indeed it was luncheon time - an hour past noon to be precise. The sun was high in the sky, and not a single tree was around to create shade. But there was in the middle of the dusty old road a very large cattle. It munched upon a stray cluster of green grass, paying no heed to the honking horn of the horseless carriage.
"Out the way you stupid cattle!" Gourmand squeezed the horn once again. The loud honking blew once more, reminding the riders more of the honks of a goose than anything mechanical.
"HEY YOU DUMB COW! GETT OUT OF THE WAY OR I'LL HURT YOU!" Ayame shouted furiously. The cow did not move.
"Ol' Daisy here is quite satisfied with that clump of grass, eh?" Falcon chuckled.
"I'll handle this!" Surprisingly, Galuda and Accel spoke at once.
Galuda turned to the cowboy. "You are too small to be able to move that cow, American."
Accel smiled. "There's a reason I where this hat, partner. Now come on, let a cowboy do his job. Besides, you have a statuette to take care of." Accel pointed to the old woman. Galuda growled silently as Accel leaped over the side of the carriage and approached the cattle.
In his driving goggles, Gourmand's eyes were five times their original size. The top of his head was invisible under the taxi hat, but he wriggled his thick black moustache in frustration. "Just move the stupid cow!" He turned to Falcon, "huh, look it that, the American thinks he can pull our steers out of our roads."
"I know what your saying Gourmand." Falcon replied.
"Filthy American coming over here and saying that he owns the place, the roads, and the steers!" Gourmand's mustache ruffled.
"The nerve!" Falcon said.
"Quiet you! You're not even French! The nerve indeed." Gourmand scorned.
"Gourmand, I think you'd look rather pleasing in a H.M.A uniform." Falcon smiled.
"Right monsieur…" Gourmand breathed out.
"Alright you two. I think we've had enough of this! What has Mr. Accel done so wrong? I think he's been a great help! Look, the cow has been pulled off the road." Ayame frowned.
Granny finally awoke from her shock. "Huh? Where am I? What's going?" She looked at the approaching man coming near. "What's an American doing here?!"
** *
So the horseless carriage sputtered and rocked once again down the country path. Ayame insisted that everyone get along or she'd haunt everyone with her own ninja techniques. Not surprisingly, every one acted civil towards each other, no matter how hard it was. All save for Granny, how bit and snarled at everything that came by. It was to be expected, of coarse, so Ayame was happy. The irritant sweater defiantly made it hard, but one can never expect perfection.
Ayame leaned backwards and laid eyes upon the handsome young rogue. He was leaning upon his elbow, staring out into the green hills. She smiled and her eyelids fell half the distance.
"What's the matter with you girl? You look like you've been smitten by love, smiling like that." Granny croaked.
Rouge couldn't help herself. She started a silent giggle, to a soft chuckle, and then to a full flung laughter. Galuda and Accel glanced at the hysterical fortuneteller. Once she had subsided, she wiped tears from the corner of her eyes and smiled herself.
"What is so funny, Rouge?" Galuda asked.
She craned her head backwards to look the tall man in the face. "Nothing Galuda." She then turned her head at Ayame and winked. Ayame immediately blushed and backed towards her original position. Falcon looked to the back of the carriage.
"Wots so jolly funny back there?!" Falcon asked.
"Nothing Falcon." Rouge kept her grin.
"Come on guys. We're all friends here!" falcon pleaded.
"Nothing!" Rouge replied.
"Please"
"No!"
** *
The swan estate had taken several hours to reach, but the passengers were happy when they could finally get out of the cramped carriage. Gourmand explained he would meet them at dinner, as he was not on this adventuring quest. Falcon nodded, and let him go his way. He glanced once more at the enormous manor. His friends were struck with awe. How anyone could own such a home was beyond him or her. Falcon smiled, feeling proud for some reason, and opened the very large white doors. He made a gesture with his hand as for them to come in.
"Ladies first." Falcon explained.
Granny was the first one to walk through; smiling towards the Brit. Falcon shuddered and carried on to the next guest. "My home is your home." He said.
"Falcon you devil, this isn't your house." Rouge chuckled.
"And you'd know this how?" Falcon asked.
"I'm a fortune-teller. We know these things." Rouge patted Falcons shoulder as he walked in.
Ayame was still outside, staring upon the large, exquisite renaissance architecture that made the Swan manor. She had seen buildings that were enormous, but she had never seen any one's home this large. Accel prodded the girl with his hip. She glanced at Accel, who was pointing at the door and grinning like a schoolboy. She gave a large smile back.
"Ahem! Ayame, Julia is in here." Falcon raised an eyebrow.
"Oh! Right! Be with you in a second!" Ayame said to Accel. She turned towards the great gate and passed under, admiring every aspect of the foyer before bumping into her grandmother and Rouge, who now couldn't help chuckle every time she saw Ayame.
"What is so funny Rouge?" Ayame asked, obviously annoyed.
Rouge looked upon her and smiled. "I'll tell you later."
Accel picked up his bags and walked towards Falcon. As he passed he gave a smart salute. "You gotta love the ladies." He grinned.
"Heh, you sure do!" Falcon replied in a mock acquaintance. As Galuda walked forward, he looked at Falcon, who made the 'chop off his head' gesture with the hand that wasn't holding the door. Galuda cracked a smile and walked on.
Suddenly from the jungle of French furniture and antiques came the blonde aristocrat herself. She rushed into the group, carrying her large white dress. "Welcome to the House of Swan. I am Julia Swan. It is a pleasure to meet you all finally. I've heard so much about you!" Julia curtsied.
"Well Julia. In case your beautiful noggin doesn't serve ye so well, this is Ayame Uematsu." Falcon pointed towards the Asian girl who replied with a friendly smile and a wave. "And this is Ayame's grandmother, come to see the sights of France." He moved towards the diminutive ancestor. "And this is Rouge Nehbandan, the fortune-teller." He gestured towards the dark skinned woman, who smiled and curtsied. "And this is Galuda." He stopped at Galuda's side and patted him on the back. Galuda nodded towards the woman.
"Splendid! But uh…who is this man right over here. I don't recall you." Julia implored.
"The name is John Accel. Accel to my friends and that's what you can call me!" He kneeled before Julia and kissed her hand. Julia blushed red. Falcon's face also turned the same color, but not for the same emotion, I'm quite sure. Falcon immediately took Julia's free hand and pulled her close.
"My fair Julia, do you not think that meeting over some luncheon would be best for the adventurers. I am sure they'll want to hear more about the mission you have planned." Falcon suggested.
"My what a wonderful idea Edward! Ladies and gentlemen, we shall discuss the morrow's plans over lunch. My servants shall attend to your luggage and your rooms will be readied." She clasped her hands together in excitement. "I trust your trip her to my homely estate was safe and enjoyable."
"Yes ma'am! As comfortable as it could be!" Ayame complemented, though in truth it was quite different.
"Ah. That is always good to hear. Allow me to show you to the dining hall. Graves here will take your coats." Julia gazed upon the motley group once more, only to notice that none had any form of coat. "Well then. No coats no problem! Haha! Well, we should get underway!"
** *
The lovely sounds of a grand piano could be heard throughout the amazing hall. The table sat as it did weeks before, but now here were guests, and more than just one. It was an elegant setting, designed for elegant people. Servants brought forth trays of elegance, to be served to elegant people in elegant settings. The adventurers were quite pleased. This meal would be one to remember for ages. Julia sat in her normal spot and watched the hired help dig in.
"This is fine wine, Lady Julia. How old is it?" Accel asked.
"That's Penny cloud cordial. Came from 1803, the same year that Bonaparte Napoleon sold the Louisiana Territory." Julia replied.
"I don't know 'bout Louisiana, but this is great cordial." Falcon complemented.
"I have a question? Why is it that you are wearing your shoes in the house?!" Granny asked.
Julia, Galuda, Falcon, Accel, and Rouge all gave a quizzical look at the old woman. Turning to one each other, they searched each other's faces for an answer.
Ayame sighed. Her grandmother was going to make it difficult to the very end. "It is a Nippon custom that people take their shoes off when they walk into the house." She explained. There was a chorus of ohs' and understanding. "Granny, that's a Nippon custom, not a French custom. We're in France. That should answer your question."
"What has happened to Jack?" Galuda asked. Falcon, with a mouthful of King Louis chicken, turned to Julia, as if passing the question on.
"Right then. Business. Well …Galuda, Jack is in the dungeon right now on charges of serial murder-" Julia was interrupted by the sudden rising of the Native American.
"Then we go rescue him! What are we doing sitting idly while Jack rots another day?!" Galuda shouted for justice.
"Hold on! If you would be kind enough to sit down and let me explain, I have special permission to allow Jack out, AS LONG as he is under your constant supervision. You see, I have reason to believe that he is not guilty of these crimes. For there is another killer loose on my beloved streets of Manches. One that is an exact duplicate of Jack!" Julia explained.
Julia cut herself short as she noticed a raised hand. Accel was raising his arm, waving it, and waiting to be called upon. "Yes?"
"Um, I hate to sound ignorant or stupid, but who's Jack?" Accel asked.
Everyone except Julia and Ayame let out a sigh. Julia took a moment, fiddling with her salad fork, searching for the right words. "Jack is …a unique character. He's a leper, or leads one to believe so, for he is completely hidden underneath bandages, save tuffs of black hair and one red eye. Jack the Slayer, or the Mad Clown, as he became to be called is believed to be a serial killer and a thief, who hunts only women and steal their gems. That should suffice."
"Alright…" Accel suddenly felt really stupid.
"To continue, Jack claims that his duplicate emerged from a power stone." Falcon began. "This would make 'Other Jack' rather dangerous, even for myself." He winked at Julia, but then noticed a hand projected in the air. He slumped. "Question, Mr. Accel?"
Accel scratched his blonde head after removing his hat. "Yea Falcon. Aren't the Power stones just legend and myth? Just an ol' housewives tale?"
Ayame quickly reacted, making sure that her guest wouldn't be stomped under the heavy feet of every one else. "Good question Accel, heh heh. Power stones are very real, and they can make any wish come true. All of us here have dealt with power stones in the past, though I'm not too sure about Lady Julia."
"Oh heavens no! I'm not an adventurer of any sort. I'm just merely the client and financier for this operation. Though I wasn't aware that you're Ms. Uematsu senior had dealt with the power stones before." Julia waved her hands.
"Oh I have Julia. Our lord sent Ayame one year back. When she returned, we gave the lord a rock and gave the stone to my stupid idiot son. Don't know what he did with it though." Granny rubbed her non-existent chin.
"It's good to know we have an experienced crew on our hands. The streets at night are not pretty. As I said before, I am mainly the financier. It is up to Falcon, your leader, to plan your general attack strategy. On the morrow, you shall retrieve Jack from the dungeon and start the mission. Are there any questions?" Julia clapped.
"Yea, why is Falcon our leader?" Rouge asked cruelly.
"Um well, actually, you see… Whoa! Look at the bloody time! If we're starting tomorrow, we should get rested up! Ta ta!" Falcon excused himself from the table and made a brisk walk for the stairs.
The table looked at the red suited man in an odd expression. Once he had vanished, they shrugged and continued to converse.
** *
