1Anudder chappy. They are coming more rapidly right now then they will in the future, because I haven't gotten to the point in the story where there is more of a major rehaul from what I had before. On an unrelated note, anyone going to Katsucon? It's a week away, woo Enjoy chapter 5

The following morning, Jack sat at a table in the witches' home, surrounded by diamonds. There were dozens of them sprinkled over the tattered table cloth as if they were no more than pebbles. Every one was faceted and gleaming.

"You two have gone above and beyond what I requested," remarked Jack.

"They're easy enough to make.", said the small witch.

"And since you didn't say exactly what you needed the diamond for, I thought we should give you choices.", finished the other witch.

"We BOTH thought that!" the little witch interjected.

Jack sorted through the stones as the witches vied for his attention. They hovered around him, thrilled at his rapt interest in things they had created.

Jack held a jewel between his spidery fingers. It was one of the larger ones, twice the size of a cherry stone. This one is divine, thought Jack. Divine, if she would wear it. Sally was shy and very modest. A born showman himself, Jack found Sally's shyness difficult to understand. He wasn't entirely certain the cause of her introversion, but blamed some of it on the Doctor. She was much less timid than she had been, but even so, a stone this size just wasn't her. Jack dropped the large diamond back in the pile. As it landed, a smaller one bounced from under it and sat directly before him. He picked it up.

"This one is different." Jack said.

"Oh, that was an early one. The color isn't right. Diamonds do come in different tones, but that isn't a good example," said the tall witch.

"If you like blue, we've got better than that, see?" The smaller witch held up a brilliant royal blue diamond. Jack looked again at the one in his hand. It was blue as well, but quite pale.

"No. I like this one," he said. "It's perfect."

The witches, though pleased that Jack had found something, hoped he would select a better example of their work. If the King was seen with such a boring, little, diamond, what if people asked where he got it? Their conjuring reputations were on the line. The taller witch tried again to dissuade him.

"Jack, that one is so tiny. If you must have that weak color, at least let us make you a larger one."

Jack shook his skull.

"Large can be overwhelming. This size is right." In truth, the diamond was more than respectable by everyday standards. The witches didn't know what else to say. Love him as they did, there was no accounting for Jack's taste. He did like that Christmas business after all.

"Pale blue," murmured the smaller witch.

So is Sally, Jack thought happily as he rolled the diamond in his hand. He put it into his pocket.

"Have you seen Sally lately Jack?", asked the taller witch in a tone too intentionally casual. Jack looked up with a start, wondering if she had read his thoughts. Besides, it was an odd question. Just about everyone in town knew Sally lived with him these days.

"Yes. This morning.", Jack answered. "I believe she's out in the square today." The witch nodded.

"Doctor Finklestein is looking for her. He asked if we knew where she could be found. We told him we surely had no idea, but that you might know, of course. The old thing doesn't get out much these days. He has no one to help him - aside from Igor, that is."

Jack was puzzled.

"He has his new creation doesn't he? She's come into town with him before."

"She's terribly ill. He isn't even sure whether he can fix her.", said the small witch.

"...And that's unusual for the doctor to admit he can't do something!", added her companion with a laugh. "Anyway, just tell Sally that he needs to speak with her. He said it's very important."

Jack nodded graciously. He rose from the table.

"Thank you both so much for the diamond. I can't tell you how important this is to me right now, but I promise you'll understand soon! Thank you, again!"

"Anytime you need anything Jack! Anything at all!" they called after him. Jack touched the tiny bump in his vest pocket as he walked away down the street.

Jack was almost to the Behemoth's door to pick up the ring when he noticed the Mayor. Once again, the poor man wasn't alone. Lock and Barrel trotted behind him. Lock was entertaining himself by repeating everything the Mayor said in a mocking, sing-song voice.

"Please, PLEASE, go away! Stop following me!", the Mayor whined.

"Please, PLEASE, go away! Stop following me!", giggled Lock.

Barrel laughed and clutched his stomach. Jack tried to suppress his own amusement at the scene. The Mayor looked at him helplessly.

"Jack! Could you spare some time to tutor one of these delinquents?"

"I have a fairly full day today...", Jack said. He looked down at the little devil and ghoul. "Where's Shock?"

The Mayor answered for them.

"I have spearheaded the plan to better these three. Splitting them up seemed an excellent idea, so I sent Shock over to Sally. I thought perhaps she could learn to sew or something else useful."

"Well, that's nice.", Jack said slowly. He wondered if Sally might be in need of rescue.

The Mayor grew irritated at Jack's reluctance to take one of the little monsters. Jack was the one that kept insisting on reforming them after all. He tried again.

"Jack, please. Be a mentor! What's the problem? You usually love this kind of stuff!"

Any other day Jack would have been more than happy to help. Today though... today was decidedly not good.

"I have some extra errands to run today," he said.

"So delegate!", hissed the Mayor. "Please?" Jack looked at the children. Talk about the lesser of two evils.

"Take Lock. I can't handle him. If I give the other one enough candy he's quite tractable," the Mayor whispered. Jack relented.

"Alright Lock. You're coming with me." Lock moved beside Jack and the Mayor pulled Barrel off towards the hall. Lock waited until they had gone, then he looked up at Jack. The boy feigned more comfort than he felt being all alone with the Pumpkin King.

"What's the agenda today, Jack? Why're we here?"

"I have to get something from the Behemoth.", Jack sighed. "Listen, Lock. I know from past experience that you're not too bad at secret keeping, yes?"

"This sounds cool," Lock said with an intrigued smile.

"I have some personal business to attend to in here. You are sworn to absolute secrecy. Absolute! This means you can't even tell Barrel or Shock. Can you be trusted?"

"What do I get if I don't tell?" Lock wheedled. Jack leaned down close to him. His expression was fearsome. In a quiet hissing voice he said:

"A lifetime of peaceful nights. If you breathe a word, I'll personally make sure you wake up screaming from tonight to the end of time."

"That's fair," said Lock, a small tremor in his voice.

Jack regained his usual friendly composure. He patted the child.

"Good boy."

Shock took a bite of her candy bar. She stood several feet away from the sewing machine watching Sally hem the ghosts' sheets. Shock stared blankly as if she were watching an exhibit at a museum, or perhaps a zoo. The Mayor had deposited her here with the practically no instruction or reason why. Sally glanced up at the girl, her eyes nervous.

"Do you want to learn how to sew?", she asked. Shock made a face.

"I already know how to do that.", she said and took another bite of chocolate. Sally turned the balance wheel slowly towards her as she finished one of the sheets.

"I didn't know you could use a sewing machine.", Sally said.

"I didn't say I can use a machine, but I know how to sew.", Shock corrected. She pulled a small cloth pouch from her pocket. It was crudely sewn together from what looked like old socks. The pieces were lashed to one another with yarn.

"See? I made this for my tiniest firecrackers. That way they don't bump around, and go off accidentally. It's good huh?"

Sally leaned closer and peered at the bag.

"It is. It's very good."

Obviously pleased with the compliment, Shock stuffed the pouch back into her pocket.

"It was hard to make! I kept sticking my fingers. The boys want me to make firecracker bags for them too, but I said nah... I don't want to stick needles in my fingers for them. Do you stick yourself all the time?"

"It doesn't bother me if I do.", Sally said with a shrug. Shock was intrigued.

"No? It doesn't hurt ya?"

"It isn't comfortable, but it doesn't hurt me the way it would someone else. That's just how I am."

"Hm.", Shock breathed.

Sally arranged another translucent sheet on the machine while the little witch finished her candy in silence.

Jack leaned on the table inside the Behemoth's workshop. Lock was a good two feet below and couldn't see what was happening, so he clambered up on a high stool to watch. Jack reached into his pocket and removed the diamond. He set it on a handkerchief on the table top. The Behemoth in turn opened a small drawer and took out the ring. It was white gold, covered with impossibly fine carvings of ivy leaves and vines. There was a hole for the diamond.

"Exquisite!" said Jack. "It's delicate and lovely, and ...oh, it's just so perfect! You're an amazement!"

The Behemoth, shrugged and smiled modestly.

"Can you mount the stone?" Jack asked. The Behemoth nodded and took both ring and stone to his tool box. Lock was thoroughly intrigued.

"Watcha doing, Jack? What's that little ring for? Is it magic?"

Jack laughed.

"I sure hope so."

"C'mon Jack! Tell me the secret! You know I won't tell!", the devil child whined. Jack remained silent. In short order, the Behemoth placed a completed engagement ring on the handkerchief.

"Done, Jack."

The light suddenly dawned on Lock.

"Hey! That's for Sally, huh?" Jack wrapped up the ring in the cloth and put it back in his pocket. "Is it for something special, Jack?" Lock asked.

Jack hugged the Behemoth and thanked him again. He and his small charge then headed out. Lock was desperate to know what was going on.

"Is it for something special?" he asked again. Jack stopped and looked down at Lock. It sure would feel good to tell someone. Someone who wouldn't panic like the Mayor. Someone who would give him more reaction than the Behemoth. Someone who was sure to keep quiet, even through intimidation. Jack lead Lock to a secluded spot near the fountain. Jack looked at him hard, and then said:

"I'm going to propose marriage to Sally. Tonight."

For probably the first time ever, Lock was speechless.

"Whoa, Jack! You're gonna marry her? That's...I mean that is...whoa. She's so, you know, Even I think she's really, really... Wow, this is BIG! Well, congrats Jack."

"I still have to ask her," said Jack. "Now that I've confided in you, remember your promise."

Lock gulped.