The skies had darkened quite a bit since Rouge's absence of the real world. The high vaulted tops of the surrounding French buildings were already soaked to the very marrow, if such a thing could be. Rouge shook her pretty head at he lack of for planning.
"I should have known better." She sighed. She'd have to run all the way back to the restaurant they met at before. Every one was probably already there. She quickly trotted through the down coming pour, attempting to reach the "Du Jour", the restaurant.
The rain only become worse, which forced Rouge to retreat into a small alcove under an overhead. It was practically a whiteout; one could barely see a foot in front of. Rouge sulked and sat herself against the stonewall.
However, not everyone saw this as a curse. Ayame Uematsu and John Accel were indeed stuck out of the weather. Fortunately, they had receded into a homely little spot in an old bell tower. Not another soul, save the pesky Jack, was around. Jack started to scurry up the bell tower's stairs as Ayame and Accel attempted to dry themselves. Both laughed at the futile attempt and sat down near the beginning of the wooden steps. Jack was gone, up the tower, but the two didn't bother to give chase.
"So… it's just us here alone in the rain…" Ayame started.
"…Yup." Accel replied.
"Well, what is on your mind, Accel?" Ayame asked.
"Oh nothing, really. Just thinking about home." Accel stated.
"Oh. So what's Texas like?"
"Well… Texas is like a big dusty field… yea. Like a big dusty field, where you can just walk in and claim a piece for yourself. Just expanses of nothing, where people have either started to plant cotton on their claims, or dig for oil. You can herd the cattle for days in and days out without ever seeing some one else's land. The only thing really connecting the people of Texas is the railroads. Without the trains, it's like a thousand little countries all on the same dusty field…"
"Wow. Back in Nippon, you can't go an hour without stumbling onto some one's pagoda."
"Bet the people in Japan are all friendly though, living so close to each other and all."
"Nah. We may be all serving the Emperor, but each daimyo fights with another, sending his entire county to war with the county of another daimyo. Trust me, things are never stable in Nippo-, I mean Japan." Ayame picked up a twig and drew on the gravel floor.
"Really. We may not see each other much in Texas, but every time we do, it's a gunfight. It's either you were stealing some ones cattle, looking at some ones girl, or just too ugly."
"Really?! I thought it was different."
"Haven't you ever heard of the Wild West?! The last frontier?"
"Not really."
"You're amazing kid. What are you drawing?"
"Oh, I'm just doodling a train. See the happy man?" Ayame pointed with the stick to the conductor.
Accel looked closer at the dirt. "That's a good train, but here's what you're missing." Accel took the stick and starting adding onto the train with precise and accurate details. After a couple minutes of silence, Accel dropped the stick and leaned back. "There. That's a train!"
"Wow! You're really good at drawing? Did you spend a lot of time with trains when you were in Texas?"
"Yea, you could say that…"
"Hey Accel, …what do you think …of me?"
Accel leaned forward and glanced at the little Asian girl. He studied her face, her features, and churned his face in thought. "Well, I think you're an interesting girl with a funny name, no offence. I think you're funny, interesting, and, um, pretty."
"Really?" Ayame drew herself closer to Accel.
"Yea, defiantly A O.K. in my book. So what do you think of me?" Accel smiled.
"You're a dashing good looking American who knows no limits. You're tough, ornery, and fun to be with. I totally disagree with Falcon." Ayame smiled.
"Ornery eh? I don't even think you know the word." Accel laughed.
"Ha! You're right. It's a word you Westerners use a lot, like … cow poke …and …little …doggie."
And before a breath more could pass Ayame's lips, she closed her eyes and felt those soft pink lips press against the Westerners own. Her heart skipped a beat. She was excited, but at the same time calm. She hoped the rain would never cease and the moment would never end. Finally, an exciting man who shared the same concept she did. The exact opposite of the suitors her father had sent her over the years. Inside, she was happy.
** *
The bell tower was a high one, but it was no problem for Jack. The white rain fell outside, visible from the glassless windows that were on all four side of the squares shaft. Climbing was no problem for the bandaged one. He was happy to be away from the lovebirds. He knew that they were only doing what they were ordered to, but at the same time, they were his captors. Jack had had enough imprisonment and didn't wish to be a part of any more. His red eye narrowed as he reached the giant bronze bell, carved on it' skin the word "Charlemagne". Jack didn't know or cared whom the bell was named after. He perched upon the great ancient wooden rafter that held the several-ton musical instrument aloft, juggling the daggers in his two hands. There was no thunder or lightning. Just the tireless "pitta patta's" of rain striking the pyramidal roof.
"Stupid young ones. Know not the dangers of Other Jack. Too busy chitta chatta and jibba jabba to pay attention. Hehehe. Other Jack is sure to rip them apart, and I shall laugh. Laugh! Hahahahaha!"
In the midst of his tirade, the leper leaped to an arched window and dug his daggers to the outside stone of the tower. Swinging himself into the storm, he jabbed his way to the very top of the bell tower. Once there, Jack raised himself into the eerie position he had held in all of his fight and gazed through the waters of heaven across Manches. Night was coming soon and Jack decided he could do it alone.
"Other Jack, where are youuuuuuuuuu?" Jack sang in his high-pitched voice. "Hahaha! Real Jack is free and I will kiiiiiiilllllll you with my own two daggers! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"
Lightning finally flashed across the darkening twilight, illuminating the insane clown to the grounds around. His one eye showed a face of insane humor. In a flash, Jack leaped off the tower towards the buildings below. Other Jack was dangerous, but Jack didn't need an army of idiots beind him. He only needed one other man.
** *
Night had fallen, and all was in darkness. The rain was so bad that the lamp boy could not run the city and light the posts. Rouge was left to her hole in the dark. Her thoughts had taken her again and she became lost in her own past. She eventually fell asleep.
Several hours had passed. Midnight almost stretched across the still raining skies. Rouge was still in her sanctuary. There was no light. The only thing that could distinguish that one was awake was the constant sound of the rain tapping the concrete path outside. What awoke Rouge was a hand gently falling on her shoulder.
Her eyes flitted lazily. She turned her head towards the person, squinting trying to see whomever it was. More noticeably, the hand was wrapped in white bandage.
"…Jack?" She asked in a tired voice.
The person did not answer, only the delight in the red lonely eye in the dark responded. Rouge raised an eyebrow in question. Ever since she met Jack, she always though him as an odd fellow. But this was stranger than normal. She tried to pick herself up to stand, but found the hand was applying force, keeping her stationed to the dark floor.
"Jack, what are you doing? I don't know how you got out of Ayame and that Accel's keep, but we have to get back to the restaurant. I'm sure by now everyone is worried sick." Rouge reasoned.
Still the person did not answer.
"JACK?! This isn't funny! Let go!" Rouge began to become angry. She turned her head suddenly in an attempt to get loose when her golden hairpiece shined brilliantly in the night air.
"Hehehehehe. Shinies…" The bandaged creature breathed.
** *
Falcon paced around inside the Du Jour. The lights were dim, as the owners of the eatery had gone to their beds some time ago. There was only the aviator and Galuda. Galuda sat at a table, watching the pilot create patterns in the floor with his heels.
"They should have been here hours ago. We had our items before one this afternoon! Where could Rouge and Ayame be?!" Falcon asked himself for the fiftieth time that day.
"They may have got stuck in the storm." Galuda suggested.
"I don't think that the storm's that bad, Galuda! They're also stuck out there with Jack and Other Jack." Falcon shook his blonde head.
"Ayame has the American with her. That should provide some reassurance." Galuda offered.
"That Accel character? He couldn't protect a cat from a mouse!" Falcon scoffed.
"He is American, but I fear you under estimate him friend." Galuda said.
"I don't under estimate anyone! …I just hope that Julia's O.K in this dreadful weather." Falcon sighed.
"I don't see what would be wrong with her, but I do see what's wrong with this mission." Galuda spoke.
"Really? Tell me, I'd like to know!" Falcon replied.
"For one thing, it's everyone's attitudes. If all of you would stop bickering with each other for three minutes, I am sure we would have caught on to the felons trail by now. Do you not see?" Galuda advised.
"Well, maybe we wouldn't be arguing if Yankee Doodle hadn't decided to jump on the band wagon when we needed seasoned professionals!" Falcon shot back.
"It doesn't matter anymore. You should learn to get over things like that and make what you have now into a manageable situation." Galuda spoke calmly.
Falcon kept silent. His face was filled with anger and frustration at the same time. After a couple moments, he decided it was best to change the subject.
"So, …how'd you meet Doe?" Falcon asked.
"I had known her a long time. She was the chieftain's daughter. In my tribe, everyone knows everyone." Galuda said.
"O.K… so how did you become romantically involved with her?" Falcon urged him to move on.
"Doe and I were always friends. When I saved the village from the one armed man's poison, the chieftain gave me his daughter." Galuda answered.
Falcon put on a confused look. "Gave you?"
"Yes. I was awarded his daughter for my efforts to save the tribe. Do not take it the wrong way. We are still lovers." Galuda explained.
"Oh. I bet you're dying to go home right now and be with her, huh?"
"I do not like the white man's world. It is not for me. I am here to fulfill my promise to Jack. He saved my life, I owe this to him. I do miss the snowy fields, the bison running in it, and the morning sun over the red jagged mountains."
"Sounds nice and all, but I think I prefer good old Londo. Filled with thousands of people walking the streets in their nice suits and all. I think it would start to snow there. Of course, Londo doesn't have Julia…"
"You seem to like Ms. Swan a lot."
"You said it. She's smart, beautiful, extravagant, and charming. We had courted several years ago."
Falcon stopped pacing and sat down next to Galuda. Galuda asked a question while he played with a fork. "Why did you stop?"
Falcon grabbed for a knife and absent-mindedly chiseled away at the rough table. "I dunno. I guess back then I was too much of handsome man for her."
"Do you think that it could have been your ego?"
"Nah. I'm not egotistical. I'm just proud of my talents. That's all. That couldn't be it."
"Mayhap you were away too much, on your airplane adventures?"
"I don't think so. I was only away for half the year, every year we… courted… ah crap."
Galuda smiled. "Your women are different from my women, Falcon. My women will do whatever the man pleases, for he is always thinking of what's best for her and the rest of the tribe. Your women do not know this, and I don't necessarily think that your men are always thinking of what is best for their women. In your world, you must always heed to her word, for it is the only saving grace."
"…Good Lord Galuda. How did you ever get to know all of this stuff?"
"I traveled the world searching for the cure. I noticed things about the cultures I passed through. It's called being observant." Galuda tapped his forehead.
"I've traveled all over the world as well. But I guess I was too gung-ho looking for the power stone or trying to be the modern Dr. Livingston to notice all of the little things." Falcon laughed.
"We should probably rest. Everyone is most likely O.K." Galuda said.
"Yea, you're right. Thanks Galuda." Falcon said.
** *
The rain was still pouring outside in the dark. Ayame and Accel had long been looking for their responsibility, other wise known as Jack. They had searched every square inch of the tower twice in the hours since they noticed he was gone.
Accel shook his head." He's not here, Ayame."
"No! He has to be here John! Where else could he be?!" Ayame panicked.
"It's Accel and I don't know. He seemed like a nimble fellow. Maybe he leaped out the window."
Ayame looked out the window. In the dark and rain, it was difficult to measure the distance between the window and the next building. With her ninja training, even Ayame would find it hard to reach one of the other rooftops. She bit her lip, thinking of where the bandaged killer could have gone.
"Maybe we should head back to the restaurant and tall the others." Accel asked.
"No. Jack was our responsibility. We'll never hear the end of it. Think of what Falcon will be like!" Ayame turned on her friend.
"I'm too busy thinking about what the constable will say. We could be hanged for this!" Accel said.
"I thought you were living on the edge Accel."
"I've been to a lot of hangings back out west, several of them my own, but I don't know what the French are like in punishment."
Ayame frowned. "…You're right. But I don't want to tell the others right away. We should look some more first."
Accel looked at the bell. "Alright. I don't know how well you can see in dark rainy weather, but let's have a go at it."
Ayame smiled and took to the stairs heading down. There was no time to waist. None at all.
** *
