A/N: So sorry about the wait, but until just recently I didn't have a definite plot device. [I know, it seems silly to start a fic having no idea what the plot is going to be… bad Krisian, bad.] Oh well. The point is, I've got one now. I attribute that to my brilliant sister and her twisted mind. I love ya, Jac. ::corny sisterly love moment:: Heh, and you all thought this was just going to revolve around the werewolf and Cabby's parents… Oh, how little you know… ::insert evil laughter here::
Queerquail – Ah. Straight, not strait. I hate it when I get my words all confused like that. Thanks.
Cecily – You don't really wish a werewolf would ravage your sister, do you? Long-haired blokes are great… rar…
Nicky007 – Look, I used your new name again! Evil Davis! ::whacks Davis over the head with the crowbar:: ::Davis stumbles around asking if anyone got the number of the truck that just hit him:: Hehehe! That'll teach him to terrorize Jekyll's patients. XD
elven-emma – Think you've figured it out, have you? Well, don't go blabbing in case you're right.
schizomaniax – Have I ever told you that you should get an account? You should, and then if I keep putting off the DTG fic, I can give it to you. ::poke:: Get an account, or I shall poke you repeatedly! ::poke::
morph – Yup. Pity-party for Otto! ::tosses confetti::
Lady Moon3 – You hang out with some weird people, you know that? Besides, she can't be married to Legolas 'cause I am. XD You can join in Otto's pity-party. ::tosses more confetti::
Niani – Another for Otto's pity-party! ::puts confetti in the leaf-blower and sprays it everywhere::
Perin Thunderholder – I think you're having an identity crisis, hence the change in names. XD I've got a plot now! Huzzah!
Otto stood just outside Dorian's house, listening to the lapping of the water on the London docks. He had been given a change of clothes, and his hair was combed and pulled back in a ponytail. Despite his recent grooming, Otto still maintained that slightly scruffy look. He sighed and looked up. The smell of rain wafted in the air. It was night, and moon had waned – Otto would have a glorious month before he would even have to think about that furred nightmare again. Now, his thoughts turned to his sister Alice. She had been his last living relative, now he had no one – though, the League had agreed to let Otto stay with them until the werewolf crisis was solved.
The sound of footsteps on the street snapped Otto from thought. He turned to find a rather well dressed individual heading his way. The man was tall, and wore a fine suit. He carried a cane in a gloved hand. The other, he used to fish a golden pocket-watch from his vest pocket. His striking blued eyes moved from his watch to the dark-haired youth before him. "Pardon me," he said. "Could you assist me for a moment?"
"Depends," Otto replied. "What is it that you need?"
"My wife and I ran into some carriage trouble," he replied, sweeping off his top hat to reveal graying blond hair. "You're a good strong lad, aren't you? Would you give us a hand?"
Otto sized up this stranger. He had to be in his mid-fifties at the very least, yet he looked as handsome as any man twenty years his junior. After a moment, Otto shrugged. "Sure. Lead the way."
The man took off at a brisk walk, Otto followed, and soon they came to a dimly lit street, in the middle of which was a small, yet expensive-looking, horse-drawn carriage. One of the wheels had broken, leaving the carriage in a precariously lop-sided position.
A woman poked her head from inside. Her long brown locks were intertwined with gray – she couldn't have been much younger than the man. "Charles, is that you?" She asked in a soft alto.
"Yes, dear," the man replied. "I've brought help." Suddenly, a clap of thunder broke through the otherwise quiet London night. Charles looked up as the first of the rain began to fall. "Not a moment too soon, it seems." The rain began pouring down in sheets; drenching them as Otto and Charles toiled in the cold to change the wheel. Finally, they were able to get the new one in place. Both were freezing and soaking wet.
"There. Finally done," Charles sighed.
Otto smiled. "It appears you've ruined your suit," he noted, nodding towards Charles.
Charles looked down at his soaked garments and laughed. "Ah, this old thing? I've got millions more at home." Ha clapped a hand on Otto's shoulder. "We can't thank you enough… um, what's your name anyway?"
"Otto. Otto Calhan."
"Ah, young mister Calhan. Thank you. My wife and I owe you one," he grinned. "Anytime you need a favor, just call on me."
"I'm afraid I can't do that if I don't know your name," Otto replied.
"My name…? Oh yes. How rude of me. I'm Charles Lynné, and this is my lovely wife Elise." Elise waved from her dry perch within the carriage. Otto gave her a polite nod. Charles dug into his pocket again and extracted his watch. "Good Lord!" He exclaimed, seeing the late hour. "We'd best be off. Thank you again!" With that, he hopped into the carriage and beckoned the horse onward.
"Otto! You're soaking wet!"
Otto looked up at Mina from wringing his hair out. "Yes, in case you haven't noticed, it's raining outside."
Mina frowned. Otto did not get along with her very well, and he made no point in hiding it. Something about Mina just irked him, and something about Otto just irked her. Neither of them could place exactly what it was. She disappeared up the stairs and a moment later came back bearing a towel. She tossed it to him. "At least have the decency not to drip all over the place." Otto snatched the towel and moodily dried off.
At that moment, Skinner came meandering down the hall. "Hello all," he said brightly. "How are… Otto, you're all wet."
"Really?" Otto replied in mock astonishment.
"Yes, really," Skinner said. "What were you doing out in the rain?"
"I was helping someone fix their carriage," Otto replied matter-of-factly. "A very nice couple, rich too by their looks, Charles and Elise Lynné."
Skinner stopped dead in his tracks. "What were their names?" He asked, his cheery tone replaced by one of utmost seriousness.
"Charles and Elise Lynné," Otto stated, giving the gentleman thief a confused look. "Why?"
The question went unanswered for Skinner had turned tail and dashed back from where he came, nearly mowing Davis over in the process. Davis sidestepped Skinner, but managed to fall over nonetheless. The invisible man picked himself off and looked curiously after Skinner. "Where's he off to like a mad man?" He wondered aloud.
Both Mina and Otto shrugged. "I have no clue," Otto said.
"Cabrilyn!" Skinner burst through the door so suddenly that Cabrilyn practically jumped out of her skin in surprise.
"Ah! What?"
"Your parents," Skinner said, too excited to even breathe between his words. "What are your parents' names?"
Cabrilyn was caught off guard by the question. She said nothing for a long moment as Skinner caught his breath and anxiously awaited her answer. Finally, she said, "Skinner, what does it matter? It's not like…"
Skinner sighed loudly, cutting her off. "Just humor me. What are their names?"
"Fine. My father's name was Charles, and my mother's name was Elise. Why?"
The gentleman thief beamed, "Because Otto just found them."
Cabrilyn's milky-blue eyes welled up with tears. She didn't know whether to smack Skinner or to hug him. "If this is some kind of joke, I swear…"
"No joke, I promise," he said, taking her hands in his. "They're here. Otto just spoke with them not more than ten minutes ago." With that, Cabrilyn flung her arms around him and let spill tears of joy. Perhaps she would get to be with her parents again after twelve long, painful years.
A/N: Another short one, I know, but oh well. Aw, yay for Cabby. Her life's not all angst… though I don't know how mom and dad would react to her bringing home a boyfriend like Skinner. That would be a little awkward. XD