A/N: Feel free to skip to the story if you want, as this will be a long one.

Yes, yes, I know, it's been an eternity. This story doesn't really have a schedule, it's more of, if the inspiration's there, I'm writing a new chapter. I will finish this story, don't worry, but it's probably going to be a long one.

Okay, now that business me is out of the way, to answer a comment about the "inaccuracies" and why this isn't set in Victorian times.

This is a modern AU, which means that the timeline is set in the twenty-first century, and all the events before Moon Dance took place during that time period as well. This means that my version is NOT set in Victorian times, but in modern day. For convenience, let's say Emily died about a decade before Corpse Bride began, and Bonejangles about three-four decades, give or take a few. I hope that clears up any confusion, and if it doesn't, feel free to PM me. :3

That said, thank you all so much for all your lovely reviews! They really make my day, and encourage me to keep writing further. Now, on to the story.

Chapter 6

Victor paces back and forth in front of Rosings, waiting. This has got to be some sort of joke, some twisted ugly joke.

A joke that could maybe contain some truth.

Bah!

Customers bustling in and out of the café gave him strange looks as they passed; one even offered to buy him a drink to settle his nerves, which he politely refused. He must look like a madman. He should sit down. He should sit down now.

His feet continued to drag him back and forth anyway.

"Victor!"

Victor stops and nearly falls over at the sound of Emily's voice. Thank God! He sees Victoria beside her, and his heart rate slows down, relieved that they're both alright. Then he sees that silly bowler hat resting on a ginger head. Even with skin over his bones, he's still recognizable to Victor.

Dear God, it is true.

Victor can't do much but sputter as Bonejangles makes his way towards him. Finally, he offers his hand for the busker to shake, seeing as he can't seem to do anything else.

Bonejangles chortles at his sudden speech impediment. "It's guh-guh-guh greeeeat to see you too, Victor." He looks down at his extended hand. "Oi, what's that for? We've been through too much for just a 'andshake. Bring it 'ere."

He pulls Victor into a hug that nearly crushes the life out of him. There's irony in that somewhere.

Questions spill from Victor like a river. "How? What? When?"

Bonejangles groans. "Don't tell me I got to explain this again." He turns to the ladies, who are having trouble keeping straight faces as they watch the exchange. "Can't one of you tell him over a cuppa?"

Emily smiles. "I'll do it. Come on, let's go in. I'm curious to see if Rosings is any better than the place that used to be here."

— — — — — —

"So, you just walked right up?" Victor asks.

"Yup." Bonejangles takes a big swig of coffee and grins. "Woah! This stuff's swingin'! Been too long since I had one of these."

"And it's just you, right?"

"A few others too, but no one you would know."

Emily returns with several packets of sugar. "Are you sure you need this much, Victoria?"

Victoria giggles. "They're not for me."

Emily looks to Victor. "Really?"

Victor snatches the packets from her, face reddening. "I like my coffee with a little flavor, all right?"

Emily rolls her eyes. "I'm sure." She seats herself on his other side and swipes a packet from his pile.

A barista drops a flyer on their table, which Bonejangles immediately grabs. His face lights up.

"Where do I sign up for this?" he asks, waving it around.

Victor empties the final packet. "Open mic night?"

"Yeah, it's tonight. Could be my chance to finally get someone to notice me, start a band. The blokes under the bridge are great and all, but they can't play anything to save their sorry lives."

Victoria glances over him. "I think that's the list over there." she says, gesturing to a long sheet of paper hanging on the bulletin board.

"Smashing!" Bonejangles downs the last of his coffee and rises. "Say, Emily, why don't you do it with me? When's the last time you sang for a real audience, ay?"

Emily's eyes light up. "Far too long, to be sure!"

"Hold on you two." Victoria says. "Don't you think you shouldn't be calling attention to yourselves, seeing as you've already had your obituaries published, no doubt?"

Bonejangles snorts. "Who's gonna remember people who croaked ages ago? Come on, we're gonna have a little fun while we're still here." He turns to Emily, grin prominent. "I'll sign us up. We'll do a duet, like old times!"

And before anyone can say anything else, Bonejangles is heading towards the board, asking the barista for a pen on the way over.

Victor raises an eyebrow. "Old times?"

"Oh, right." Emily says. "He and I used to perform together all the time when I first came Downstairs, but then you came along, and things got… complicated." Emily bit her lip. "Anyway, when you set me free, I went up, higher than Upstairs, I think it's called the Attic, and then… well, you know the rest of that story."

Bonejangles returns, beaming. "Alright, we're on tonight at seven. I picked one of our old favorites, Emily." He circles the table embracing them all. "I'm going back to the bridge to pick up my sax. It was groovy seeing you lot again!"

— — — — — —

Collin needs a break. Not just any break, the biggest break of his life, the story that would show everyone that he has what it takes. He's sick of being at the bottom of his department, a pressman, printing everyone else's success while only being able to dream of his own.

So naturally, when he sees the name of an old heiress on the sheet for Rosing's open mic night after going in for a quick cup, he jumps at the chance of a lifetime.

Emily Hunter, you're my way out.

— — — — — —

A/N: Oooh, look, a new character! OC of course. I do believe that now the stage is set, we can really start moving a little faster. Things are happening!