Chapter 26
Jack and the Captain were at Emmeline's side in a moment, followed quickly by Yeats and the doctor, who knelt beside her feeling her pulse. 'She is with us still,'he told the others, as he helped her to lean up abit and taking smelling-salts from his pocket,applied said remedy to rapid results as Em coughed and waved the stuff away.Blinking about her, 'I'm alright!' she insisted, as they helped her upright. They now stood facing--
'Frank, and Alice!' Emmeline looked as though she would faint again and came all over white as bleached bone.Jack and Keithcliff were flanking her both with a rather proprietary grip upon her person.
Realizing he was out of line just now, however, Jack relinquished his hold to the Captain.
Meanwhile, Alejandro stood as if dazed, staring at Frank and Alice still entwined in embrace as though they could not be parted with a crow-bar. A tear escaped slowly from his eye, and then he began to smile.He further amazed them all by tossing his head back and laughing riotously.
'Frank! Frank, at last!' he touched Frank's shoulder then,gaining that happy gents' attention. Frank turned to Alejandro and grasped his hand in his; he, Alejandro and Alice began laughing and crying simultaneously.
Aleister left Em in the Captain's care and strode over to Frank.
'Dr. Frank Stein...how wonderful to have you here, indeed! We have all been working tirelessly toward this moment...'
Frank's demeanor became wary then, but Alice intervened: 'It's alright, darling! No one here means any harm to us. Let me introduce Dr. Aleister Parsons, whose untiring aid has been invaluable to us all!'
Frank spared a glance at Aleister, but he could not cease feasting his eyes upon his long-lost Alice. 'Oh, my dear...don't think that I am unaware of all your efforts in my behalf!' He looked over his shoulder at Aleister. 'Al, Al and Al--My Three Musketeers!' he laughed again, Aleister, Alice and Alejandro merrily joining in his new-found mirth.
Jack still appeared somewhat distracted by Morgana.He stood watching her and John Flubber becoming rather intimately reacquainted.
'Ce n'est pas croyable! John...why did you ever leave me?...Sans-coeur...!'
'Heartless, I!?'John held her at arm's length. 'You ditched me like
yesterday's news, Morgana! Laisser en rade!' Still, he smiled at her as did she at her old suitor, whom she had 'left in the lurch'.
Yeats took command of the situation then. 'Quickly! We must get Frank safely out of here! --Captain!'
Keithcliff knew when duty called. 'Right. To the ship then, fast as possible!'
Yeats surveyed the company before him, now having gained two new members in the scant few minutes of the New Year. 'Just to be sure...'he eyed Flubber. 'John! I will take Alice, Frank and Alejandro with me! Wait 5 minutes and join us. Here are the coordinates...'he took Flubber's Black Box and traced a finger over the lid, then handed it back to John. 'Good luck. We'll see you all in 5...' and so saying, with the obligatory blinding flash, four of the company disappeared.
Needless to say, Jack and Aleister were flabbergasted in the extreme. Yeats having congress with Flubber? Yeats TRUSTING El Juan Flubber? Their minds reeled. 'Merde b'enite...'Parsons muttered, incredulous.
Their suspicion was not lost on John who seemed to enjoy an unholy glee at their perturbations. 'Gentlemen, and ladies! Allow me to introduce myself! John Flaubert, at your service!'He affected a deep bow, which sent his side-knot flapping momentarily up over his shining pate;Morgana, ever the actress, curtsied by his side. 'And, now...sans faute!' Again, the over-bright flash of light and Mendation's foyer stood empty.
. . . . .
When Emmeline 'arrived' on deck, she was greeted by the welcome sight of everyone who was dear to her, and she knew that this was truly a New Year hors de pair...without equal.
Her heart was overfull to witness Alice at last in interminable embrace with her beloved Frank...even Alejandro seemed to be nothing but overjoyed at this fortunate turn of events...and all her brave knights here sans armour;her Capitan, Mr. Yeats, Jack and Aleister, and even Lev! She felt an almost painful ebullience in her joy of the moment.
As ever, though, Yeats became the necessary voice of reason. 'Captain, how's the tide?'
Keithcliff meanwhile had been giving the orders to stoke the engines and make ready to 'Filer a' l'Anglaise!'he shouted down the hatch to the crew below... ('skip town' or, as old sailors would say, to slip away unnoticed;literally 'to take French leave,' or as the French would say, 'to take English leave!') The Captain's wit and good-natured ribbing of Morgana's fancy French phrases were not lost upon the company...all were grinning broadly, in high spirits.
Emmeline moved then to Alice and Frank. 'My dear...oh, Alice! I had so hoped this moment would come for you at last! But, now that it is here--now that Frank is really here!'She couldn't hold back her tears of joy, and also sorrow. 'I couldn't be happier for you both!
Vaya con Diosa, Alice and Frank! I hope we shall see one another soon!'
Alice's shining face registered momentary alarm. 'But Em! Aren't you coming with us, all of us?'
'Do come with us, Emmeline!'Frank was insistent. 'After all you've done, and well, is it really safe for you back in Pankhurst?' He touched her arm, concern writ upon his features. Em hadn't known Frank in person, only briefly when she was but a child, apparently.
Though some years her senior, he was a handsome man still, with a full head of somewhat reddish hair himself, a lock of which hung rascally over one eye. Oh, how she envied Alice then!
'Oh, I simply can't just leave. You may need someone back here still. And someone needs to take care of MacGregor, yes?' Em smiled tearily holding Frank and Alice's hands in hers.'Someday, soon, you can return!'
'We'll be here with her, and make sure to keep her safe from harm,'
Jack offered, who had sidled up behind Em unnoticed til then.
'Hmmm, I'm sure you willll...' The Captain however, had ever taken note of all Jack's movements onboard. He turned to Emmeline,'So, kitten, did the Goddess grant your wishes for the New Year then?' he kissed her forehead gently.
'Oh, Keithcliff...ever my knight in shining armour! Take good care of all our precious cargo!' She embraced her Captain tightly then, causing a small 'Ooof!' to escape from his lips.
'There, my girl! We'll be back before you know it!' The Captain directed this last newsbit toward Jack, with a meaningful look his way.
Meanwhile, Aleister had made his quiet way over to Alice, who turned to him, breaking contact with Frank for the first time tonight. 'Alice, my dear! All's well that ends well, eh?' He was putting a good face on it, she knew.
'Aleister...I can't tell you, how much this means to me. And without your help, who knows where we would all be? How can I thank you, my dear man?' Alice, on tiptoe, kissed his cheek.
'Oh, Alice...you know how things go in this life...What's important is that Frank is back! We have accomplished great things here!' His gruff manner was betrayed by his searching look.'Besides...we'll always have Pankhurst,'and he kissed Alice's forehead, and handing her over to Frank, shook that worthies' hand in farewell.
'Mon homme de paille, I think I'll miss you most of all!' Emmeline told Lev, who was counting his winnings in the dark, wisely. He paused long enough to accept a kiss on the cheek from Em. 'Vaya con Dagon, Em!' he told her with a tip of the hat to Lovecraft.
'...Captain...?' Yeats seemed eager to 'Sois un peu dans le vent!'
('Get going already', or literally: 'Be a little in the wind!')
'Ah, no sails tonight, Mr. Yeats! We'll be stealthy and steam our way out along the bay awhile...and draw less attention thus, yes? --Mr. Orez! Back to work, ye laggard!'
Orez saluted then to quiet applause from all, and soft 'Hear, hears!' and 'Excellent fellow!' which helped to warm his heart, although joyous, he felt it somewhat torn in two. Not only had he lost Alice, but he seemed rather bereft without Frank's 'shadow' presence within...which was but a matter of getting used to. Avanti! He told himself, and began to discharge his duties about ship with a will. He'd Frank and Alice still to shepherd, he told himself, like a good Basque.
'We best be on our way. We should be out of the City with all haste!' Yeats put a gentle hand on Emmeline's shoulder, as he rounded up Jack and Aleister. The Captain stood by the gangway, making ready to put to sea. A final desperate hug between Emmeline, Alice, and Frank, and then turning to her Captain, she took his
chin in hand and planted a deep and earnest kiss upon his willing lips, her other hand tightly about him. A very red Captain slowly disengaged himself and muttered, 'Well, off you go then, Petal! Be safe! We'll let you know what we can, as soon as we may, luv!' and,seeing her and her three cavaliers off down the gangway, which was soon stowed, the Captain gave the order to put out to sea...
The foursome stood upon the dock and waved to all aboard, as the ship headed out upon the glassy mirror of the bay...soon, the evening swallowed sight of all the people Emmeline had loved most dearly.
'Em?' asked Jack, laying a gentle hand upon her shoulder.
'I'm alright, Jack.'she sniffed, taking refuge in her hanky awhile, and staring absently at the otherworldly object she still clutched in her hand.
Jack turned then to Parsons.'Aleister...old man...I,...'he didn't know what he could say to Al...their mission had been accomplished, but he knew their sucess meant Aleister had lost his chance and would now miss Alice dreadfully.Al was staring at the black dot on the horizon, all that was left of the sight of her getaway ship.
Yeats regarded them all from his vantage point on high, then, reaching into his breastpocket, handed out cigars to Jack and Aleister, and taking one for himself, lit the ends without a flame from the mere generation of heat from his fingertip, to Emmeline's astonished delight. Then, putting an arm about Aleister, and Jack,
(who, wasting no time, had his arm about Emmeline;the gentlemanly thing, to ward off the cold Jack told himself...), Yeats steered them out of the streetlamps to a more private area where they could be less easily detected when they made their exit.
'This,'he declared, taking them all in with a glance,'Looks like the beginnings of a beautiful friendship!'
*FLASH*
. . . . .
fin
(...until, next time...)
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
A New Year At Last
Chapter 25
A New Year At Last
The company strolled along the avenue to the theatre, the warm glow of the fine meal, amiable crowds and music, and the champagne of course, still with them while they made their way through the fog and haze from firecrackers which left a sulphurous gunpowder tinge in the sea air.
As they neared their objective, Emmelines' nervousness returned. She
wondered about all this, now that she'd had a chance at last to get some sleep and eat a decent meal, she felt more grounded in reality and was running less on adrenaline and nerves.What exactly was she going to say to Morgana, to Margueritte, rather...would that redhead from the future merely turn and run, as she had before? Well, they would soon see, wouldn't they...?
They approached the box office to read, not surprisingly, a large SOLD OUT sign in the window. The party had gotten tickets in advance however, (Em and Alices' doing)and entered directly into the brightly decorated lobby;always a study in scarlet, but made even more so with the festal decorations gaily draping the bannisters with greenery sporting red satin bows while poinsettias lustily thrust their crimson plumage amid the potted palms which shone with gold and silver ornaments.
'Abit of time still...'the Captain consulted his watch again, (Em
was pleased to note that he seemed to take every opportunity to do so...) 'An aperitif, perhaps?' Small sherries were agreed upon and
as Keithcliff handed Em her glass, 'To the New Year!' he toasted, 'May it bring a new time...'he paused, '...of prosperity, and peace.'
'Hear, hear!' the party agreed, clinking glasses together in time-honored tradition of the season. Em's gaze went then to the poster on the wall where she had first espied Morgana. Catching the eyes of
her companions, she motioned them over, '...This... is she, Morgana Carlysle...aka Margueritte Carrington.The Scarlet Lady...' she said enigmatically as they perused her beauteous visage on the wall.
'Hmmm...'the Captain sipped and studied her likeness. 'Not a bad looker, as you say,' He grinned happily down at Em, who smiled back. 'Indeed,'Em agreed, 'That she is.'
'There is something about her eyes, though...'Alejandro went closer and pensively deliberated upon Morgana. 'She has a look...a somewhat haunted look,' he decided.
Alice agreed. 'Perhaps even, a hunted look?' she mused, looking at Alejandro, who met her gaze with a slight nod. .
Just then, the 5-minute chimes rang out, and hastily finishing their glasses, the party went to find their seats in the auditorium. Em hadn't really noticed the crowd much this time, a rather sedate group compared to Jacky Changelings' show. But she did note that Jack, Aleister and Yeats had not as yet appeared on the scene.
Suddenly the lights dimmed and the crowd quieted. 'Here we go!' Emmeline whispered to Keithcliff who grinned in anticipation, and gave her hand a squeeze as the curtains parted and the orchestra played the first low minor notes of the accompaniment.
The actor who played Orpheus was of course a handsome dark-haired lad, but Em found his strange resemblance to Jack rather alarming. Her anxiety only increased when, to the strains of flutes and cellos, Morgana appeared in all her Grecian finery, as Eurydice. She stood tall and splenderous; lillies wound through her long bright crimson hair, set off by the simple yet elegant folds of her white gown, hit now with an indigo spotlight which gave her a
glorious death-goddess veneer. She looked more fit to play Medusa, Em thought, although her beauty enraptured, she seemed somehow to
evoke a sortof wanton cruely beneath it all. Or so Em imagined...
However, as the acts were played out, Em's opinions of her changed with the scenery. Morgana was made for the stage;a consummate actor, she became Eurydice, and when she and Orpheus were alone together, she was nothing other than a young Greek maiden wholley consumed by love's passions and ardor. So much so, in fact, that Emmeline found herself, while moved by the lovers' fervor, almost aching with a surprising jealousy to view someone looking so much like an adolescent Jack,entwined by the white arms and long red nails of Morgana...
Just then, a tap on her shoulder made her jump a foot, as she turned around to see Jack, Aleister and Yeats in the row behind them. Jack was smiling a slight crooked grin as they took their seats, but his eyes then focused upon the stage and Em was further discomfited to see him seem to become utterly enthralled. By Morgana.
She turned about with a low 'huff!', thinking: this won't do at all, get a grip, my girl! Remember what we are here for! She took herself in hand then and slipped her arm about the Captain's which he distractedly patted whilst keeping his eyes glued upon the action
onstage.He, too! she thought, just like a man! Realizing that she was beat at this game,she gave in to the mystery of the play and let it carry her onward, to its' inevitable peroration until Orpheus was torn limb from limb by the Furies...so sad...ah, the follies of love and youth! Emmeline was sniffling abit by then, as she dabbed at her eyes with her handkerchief. Alas, was the rocky road of love, as the Bard so often believed, always strewn so with such pernicious obstacles?
. . . . .
As the curtain rang down, and even before the actors returned for their bows, Em looked at Alice, and said, 'Now or never. Let's go!'
Turning about to the gents in the row behind, she nodded and all stood to exit, heading quickly backstage.
Em went unerringly straight to Jackys' old dressing room, as she knew it was the largest and reserved for the 'star' of whatever show. Apparently, they had made it there ahead of the crowd,from which they could hear the roar of applause and accolades even in the labyrinthian warrens backstage.
Somehow,she realized, they and the other party had become separated
when rounding a corner to the foyer off the dressing rooms, the foursome suddenly found themselves alone. Before Emmeline could wonder about this though, suddenly a buzz of excitement and the silver tinkle of feminine laughter ,along with a swish of long satin skirts and an armload of roses and a boatload of lilting French phrases, announced the arrival of Morgana avec entourage.
'Non, non, mais non, cherie! I am simply de'borde' de travail!' Morgana reached her dressing room door, ignoring Em and company altogether, and as she unlocked it, she turned smiling to her retinue and issuing a cheery:'de'campez d'ici!'she swept majestically inside and shut the door.
'Well!' said Alice,looking about.The Morgana Admiration Society had melted duly away.
Em set her features into serious intent however, and stepping forward, she knocked smartly upon the stars' door. A high gay voice sang out:'Zut alors! Attendre la semaine des quatres jeudis!',with laughter.
Em smiled wryly, finding Morgana to be a worthy opponent.She turned to the others, 'She says we can 'wait a week with four Thursdays'--in other words, forever!'
The others wore rueful smiles as well. It had been a wonderful performance, and they were impressed by Morgana in spite of themselves. 'Ah well ,'the Captain took Em's arm, 'Let us give her a moment, then!'
At last however, the door opened and Morgana appeared attired in a very flattering peach-colored off the gleaming white shoulder satin gown trimmed with cream lace. She was breath-takingly gorgeous. And she knew it. Emmeline became emboldened however and stepping forward she addressed Morgana: 'Miss Carlyyy...Miss Carrington? Please, may I have a word?'
The faux pas did not go unnoticed by Morgana, who visibly started when this strange little redhaired creature had nearly addressed her as 'Miss Carlysle.' She drew herself up to her full height and looking down her retrousse' nose at Emmeline, enquired, 'Qui va la'?' like a sentry on duty.
Just then, however, about the corner the not-inconsequential form of Yeats hove into view, towering over Morgana, patrician nose like the prow of a ship, followed by Dr. Parsons and at last, Jack.
Morgana's eyes grew large as she brought her vision to bear upon Jack.Her breast heaved with undisguised excitement as her lips parted for air. 'Daryl...'she whispered.
As for Jack, he stood rooted to the spot, pinned beneath her unwavering gaze. Aleister breathed a 'mon Dieu!' as he witnessed the spectacle of Morgana encountering Jack, and believing him to be his late uncle Daryl, and her old lover.
'Non, non,'Morgana voiced 'Je quois que non...'(I Don't Think So)
as she slowly approached Jack, both of them seeming almost in a trance. She looked into his face,and with a slight frown crossing her brows and an ache in her eyes, she raised her hand, trembling somewhat, and touched his cheek, slowly shaking her head.
Jack meanwhile stood still as a Greek statue, enthralled. Emmeline thought, 'Medusa!' and nearly said it aloud...Jack hadn't moved or said a word, charmed like a mouse before a cobra waiting to strike...he seemed unable to muster the will to move, but he felt an odd stirring within...like a spark about to flare. Heat... He began breathing hard as well. Emmeline couldn't take it anymore!
'Basta!' she stepped forward between the two, to everyone's surprise and broke the spell. Morgana looked down at Em like she was a sortof loathsome bug. 'Rester en retrait!'she demanded, and stepping around Em, Morgana reached Jack's side and taking his arm in hers, looked into his eyes and smiled.'No, not Daryl...but, the new Orpheus, perhaps?'
Jack said nothing, breathing hard again now, and staring into Morgana's sea-green eyes. He flinched slightly though, as he felt Yeats put a hand on his shoulder. 'Les e've'nements n'attendente personne...'he breathed into Jacks' ear, which shook him out of his
thrall.('Time and tide wait for no man'-- an exceedingly apt maxim in this instance).'No,'Jack said at last, 'I am not Daryl. That was my late uncle.' Jack saw Morgana wince slightly at this news. 'I'm his nephew, Jack Van Horn.'
'Late, late...Uncle Daryl...'Morgana looked down then, a puzzled frown forming on her fine features. She let her gaze drift upward, slowly taking in the company and trying to sort it all out somehow. She focused then on Aleister. 'You. You look familiar...'
Aleister was staring dead ahead ensorcelled like all the others. 'I knew you once, back at college...'
The Scarlet Siren nodded, 'Yes...a young lad, then.You knew...John, I believe...'Morganas' features hardened slightly at the memory. Al wisely said nothing in return.
'It is becomming late,'Yeats stepped forward. 'Jour de l'an.' As if on cue, a hush seemed to fall outside and all around them then, the clocks in all the bell-towers began to ring out the first stroke of midnight...
Emmeline stepped forward facing Morgana. 'Quickly! What do you know of the Nexus Point?'
Bonnng! tolled the bells all over the City...
Morgana
gave her head a slow shake and frowned at Emmeline. 'What the devil are you on about, petit caporal?'
Bonnng!Time was quickly passing.
Em tried a different tack. It was a wild card, but, nothing ventured...'What is your middle name?'
At this, Morgana actually seemed to see Emmeline for the first time.
'Why, ma petit caporal, it is Nepthys, the sister of Isis. Why do you enquire?'
Em knew it. 'I thought so. I believed that Nepthys was also my own middle name. But it isn't...'
Bonnng!
Morgana seemed to be unduly preoccupied with pulling an errant thread from her gown, and wholy dismissive of Emmelines' insistent
queries.
'Our middle names are not Nepthys. They are in fact Nexus!'
Bonng!
Meanwhile, Alice had noticed Alejandro becoming more perturbed by the minute. All her attention was now upon him, as she held him by the arm and tried to reach him with her eyes and mind, but he seemed not to be present in any way other than purely physical. 'Alejandro?' she asked, touching him tentatively. Still, no response.
Bonng!
'Frank!' Alice whispered to Orez. At last, he turned his gaze to her and taking both her hands in his, pulled her to him hard and shuddered.
Bonng!
'Nex-us...'Morgana pondered, disinterested. 'No, it means nothing to me whatsoever.'
Bonng!
'Surely, surely you know something!' Emmeline was nearly desperate now. 'You have traveled all this way, all this time...'
Bonng!
'Time...'Morgana closed her eyes then. 'What do you know of time, ma petit?' She opened them and gazed at Emmeline with overly-bright yet world-weary eyes. This was a woman who had seen perhaps, altogether too much. 'What do you know, of living beyond your time? To know that you have outlived...'
Bonng!
'...that you have lived beyond your love...' Morgana was not regarding Jack however. She stared seemingly at nothing, off into the distance.
Bonng!
'It is nearly...time.' pronounced Yeats, taking Aleisters' hand in his.'Quickly, everyone! Join hands!' Yeats also grabbed Jacks' hand who in turn took Morganas'. Rolling her eyes, she allowed this, and Emmeline to take her other hand, with the Captains' in her other; he in turn, reached out for Alice , who took Alejandros' hand in hers and completed the circle, back round to Yeats.
Bonnnnnngggg! The last bell tolled the hour of midnight and the new year rang out freely to a wild chorus of cheering and yells, whistles and horns all throughout the City by the Bay...
The company gazed at one another expectantly.
But--
Nothing was happening.
Until--
*FLASH*
A bright light from out of nowhere burst into being before them all and suddenly there stood none other than--
'My Gods! John!' Morgana had at last been stirred to complete lucidity with the appearance of El Juan Flubber in person and looking altogether normal in a much better suit. Before anyone could react, however, he produced then a strange smallish oval-shaped object and, taking Emmelines' hand, placed it upon the curious thing.
'Happy New Year,' he said to her, smiling.
Emmeline looked down at the seemingly innocuous pearlescent ovoid and felt a warmth and seemed to sense a sortof vibratory response within the object. Everyone stared as it suddenly began to hum, and slowly turned a pale pink which quickly became a smouldering red.
'Emmeline! Take care!' Jack looked anxious as the object thrummed and seemed to pulsate in time to a heartbeat. But it was a night for the weaving of spells, it seemed, and Em just stared at the unfolding drama in which now she seemed to be playing the leading role. At last, as the objects' hum grew louder and more intense, another *FLASH* of light struck, only with a brighter more blueish tinged white light than before.
The company remaining after this phenomenon, had suddenly increased by one.
'FRANK!' Alice choked out. 'Diosa...Frank!!'
There, before them all, encluding Alejandro Orez, stood Frank Nexus Stein, big as life, as they say.
Emmeline, meanwhile, still clutching the now sheer white artefact, had fainted solid into a heap on the floor.
. . . . .
. . . .
.
A New Year At Last
The company strolled along the avenue to the theatre, the warm glow of the fine meal, amiable crowds and music, and the champagne of course, still with them while they made their way through the fog and haze from firecrackers which left a sulphurous gunpowder tinge in the sea air.
As they neared their objective, Emmelines' nervousness returned. She
wondered about all this, now that she'd had a chance at last to get some sleep and eat a decent meal, she felt more grounded in reality and was running less on adrenaline and nerves.What exactly was she going to say to Morgana, to Margueritte, rather...would that redhead from the future merely turn and run, as she had before? Well, they would soon see, wouldn't they...?
They approached the box office to read, not surprisingly, a large SOLD OUT sign in the window. The party had gotten tickets in advance however, (Em and Alices' doing)and entered directly into the brightly decorated lobby;always a study in scarlet, but made even more so with the festal decorations gaily draping the bannisters with greenery sporting red satin bows while poinsettias lustily thrust their crimson plumage amid the potted palms which shone with gold and silver ornaments.
'Abit of time still...'the Captain consulted his watch again, (Em
was pleased to note that he seemed to take every opportunity to do so...) 'An aperitif, perhaps?' Small sherries were agreed upon and
as Keithcliff handed Em her glass, 'To the New Year!' he toasted, 'May it bring a new time...'he paused, '...of prosperity, and peace.'
'Hear, hear!' the party agreed, clinking glasses together in time-honored tradition of the season. Em's gaze went then to the poster on the wall where she had first espied Morgana. Catching the eyes of
her companions, she motioned them over, '...This... is she, Morgana Carlysle...aka Margueritte Carrington.The Scarlet Lady...' she said enigmatically as they perused her beauteous visage on the wall.
'Hmmm...'the Captain sipped and studied her likeness. 'Not a bad looker, as you say,' He grinned happily down at Em, who smiled back. 'Indeed,'Em agreed, 'That she is.'
'There is something about her eyes, though...'Alejandro went closer and pensively deliberated upon Morgana. 'She has a look...a somewhat haunted look,' he decided.
Alice agreed. 'Perhaps even, a hunted look?' she mused, looking at Alejandro, who met her gaze with a slight nod. .
Just then, the 5-minute chimes rang out, and hastily finishing their glasses, the party went to find their seats in the auditorium. Em hadn't really noticed the crowd much this time, a rather sedate group compared to Jacky Changelings' show. But she did note that Jack, Aleister and Yeats had not as yet appeared on the scene.
Suddenly the lights dimmed and the crowd quieted. 'Here we go!' Emmeline whispered to Keithcliff who grinned in anticipation, and gave her hand a squeeze as the curtains parted and the orchestra played the first low minor notes of the accompaniment.
The actor who played Orpheus was of course a handsome dark-haired lad, but Em found his strange resemblance to Jack rather alarming. Her anxiety only increased when, to the strains of flutes and cellos, Morgana appeared in all her Grecian finery, as Eurydice. She stood tall and splenderous; lillies wound through her long bright crimson hair, set off by the simple yet elegant folds of her white gown, hit now with an indigo spotlight which gave her a
glorious death-goddess veneer. She looked more fit to play Medusa, Em thought, although her beauty enraptured, she seemed somehow to
evoke a sortof wanton cruely beneath it all. Or so Em imagined...
However, as the acts were played out, Em's opinions of her changed with the scenery. Morgana was made for the stage;a consummate actor, she became Eurydice, and when she and Orpheus were alone together, she was nothing other than a young Greek maiden wholley consumed by love's passions and ardor. So much so, in fact, that Emmeline found herself, while moved by the lovers' fervor, almost aching with a surprising jealousy to view someone looking so much like an adolescent Jack,entwined by the white arms and long red nails of Morgana...
Just then, a tap on her shoulder made her jump a foot, as she turned around to see Jack, Aleister and Yeats in the row behind them. Jack was smiling a slight crooked grin as they took their seats, but his eyes then focused upon the stage and Em was further discomfited to see him seem to become utterly enthralled. By Morgana.
She turned about with a low 'huff!', thinking: this won't do at all, get a grip, my girl! Remember what we are here for! She took herself in hand then and slipped her arm about the Captain's which he distractedly patted whilst keeping his eyes glued upon the action
onstage.He, too! she thought, just like a man! Realizing that she was beat at this game,she gave in to the mystery of the play and let it carry her onward, to its' inevitable peroration until Orpheus was torn limb from limb by the Furies...so sad...ah, the follies of love and youth! Emmeline was sniffling abit by then, as she dabbed at her eyes with her handkerchief. Alas, was the rocky road of love, as the Bard so often believed, always strewn so with such pernicious obstacles?
. . . . .
As the curtain rang down, and even before the actors returned for their bows, Em looked at Alice, and said, 'Now or never. Let's go!'
Turning about to the gents in the row behind, she nodded and all stood to exit, heading quickly backstage.
Em went unerringly straight to Jackys' old dressing room, as she knew it was the largest and reserved for the 'star' of whatever show. Apparently, they had made it there ahead of the crowd,from which they could hear the roar of applause and accolades even in the labyrinthian warrens backstage.
Somehow,she realized, they and the other party had become separated
when rounding a corner to the foyer off the dressing rooms, the foursome suddenly found themselves alone. Before Emmeline could wonder about this though, suddenly a buzz of excitement and the silver tinkle of feminine laughter ,along with a swish of long satin skirts and an armload of roses and a boatload of lilting French phrases, announced the arrival of Morgana avec entourage.
'Non, non, mais non, cherie! I am simply de'borde' de travail!' Morgana reached her dressing room door, ignoring Em and company altogether, and as she unlocked it, she turned smiling to her retinue and issuing a cheery:'de'campez d'ici!'she swept majestically inside and shut the door.
'Well!' said Alice,looking about.The Morgana Admiration Society had melted duly away.
Em set her features into serious intent however, and stepping forward, she knocked smartly upon the stars' door. A high gay voice sang out:'Zut alors! Attendre la semaine des quatres jeudis!',with laughter.
Em smiled wryly, finding Morgana to be a worthy opponent.She turned to the others, 'She says we can 'wait a week with four Thursdays'--in other words, forever!'
The others wore rueful smiles as well. It had been a wonderful performance, and they were impressed by Morgana in spite of themselves. 'Ah well ,'the Captain took Em's arm, 'Let us give her a moment, then!'
At last however, the door opened and Morgana appeared attired in a very flattering peach-colored off the gleaming white shoulder satin gown trimmed with cream lace. She was breath-takingly gorgeous. And she knew it. Emmeline became emboldened however and stepping forward she addressed Morgana: 'Miss Carlyyy...Miss Carrington? Please, may I have a word?'
The faux pas did not go unnoticed by Morgana, who visibly started when this strange little redhaired creature had nearly addressed her as 'Miss Carlysle.' She drew herself up to her full height and looking down her retrousse' nose at Emmeline, enquired, 'Qui va la'?' like a sentry on duty.
Just then, however, about the corner the not-inconsequential form of Yeats hove into view, towering over Morgana, patrician nose like the prow of a ship, followed by Dr. Parsons and at last, Jack.
Morgana's eyes grew large as she brought her vision to bear upon Jack.Her breast heaved with undisguised excitement as her lips parted for air. 'Daryl...'she whispered.
As for Jack, he stood rooted to the spot, pinned beneath her unwavering gaze. Aleister breathed a 'mon Dieu!' as he witnessed the spectacle of Morgana encountering Jack, and believing him to be his late uncle Daryl, and her old lover.
'Non, non,'Morgana voiced 'Je quois que non...'(I Don't Think So)
as she slowly approached Jack, both of them seeming almost in a trance. She looked into his face,and with a slight frown crossing her brows and an ache in her eyes, she raised her hand, trembling somewhat, and touched his cheek, slowly shaking her head.
Jack meanwhile stood still as a Greek statue, enthralled. Emmeline thought, 'Medusa!' and nearly said it aloud...Jack hadn't moved or said a word, charmed like a mouse before a cobra waiting to strike...he seemed unable to muster the will to move, but he felt an odd stirring within...like a spark about to flare. Heat... He began breathing hard as well. Emmeline couldn't take it anymore!
'Basta!' she stepped forward between the two, to everyone's surprise and broke the spell. Morgana looked down at Em like she was a sortof loathsome bug. 'Rester en retrait!'she demanded, and stepping around Em, Morgana reached Jack's side and taking his arm in hers, looked into his eyes and smiled.'No, not Daryl...but, the new Orpheus, perhaps?'
Jack said nothing, breathing hard again now, and staring into Morgana's sea-green eyes. He flinched slightly though, as he felt Yeats put a hand on his shoulder. 'Les e've'nements n'attendente personne...'he breathed into Jacks' ear, which shook him out of his
thrall.('Time and tide wait for no man'-- an exceedingly apt maxim in this instance).'No,'Jack said at last, 'I am not Daryl. That was my late uncle.' Jack saw Morgana wince slightly at this news. 'I'm his nephew, Jack Van Horn.'
'Late, late...Uncle Daryl...'Morgana looked down then, a puzzled frown forming on her fine features. She let her gaze drift upward, slowly taking in the company and trying to sort it all out somehow. She focused then on Aleister. 'You. You look familiar...'
Aleister was staring dead ahead ensorcelled like all the others. 'I knew you once, back at college...'
The Scarlet Siren nodded, 'Yes...a young lad, then.You knew...John, I believe...'Morganas' features hardened slightly at the memory. Al wisely said nothing in return.
'It is becomming late,'Yeats stepped forward. 'Jour de l'an.' As if on cue, a hush seemed to fall outside and all around them then, the clocks in all the bell-towers began to ring out the first stroke of midnight...
Emmeline stepped forward facing Morgana. 'Quickly! What do you know of the Nexus Point?'
Bonnng! tolled the bells all over the City...
Morgana
gave her head a slow shake and frowned at Emmeline. 'What the devil are you on about, petit caporal?'
Bonnng!Time was quickly passing.
Em tried a different tack. It was a wild card, but, nothing ventured...'What is your middle name?'
At this, Morgana actually seemed to see Emmeline for the first time.
'Why, ma petit caporal, it is Nepthys, the sister of Isis. Why do you enquire?'
Em knew it. 'I thought so. I believed that Nepthys was also my own middle name. But it isn't...'
Bonnng!
Morgana seemed to be unduly preoccupied with pulling an errant thread from her gown, and wholy dismissive of Emmelines' insistent
queries.
'Our middle names are not Nepthys. They are in fact Nexus!'
Bonng!
Meanwhile, Alice had noticed Alejandro becoming more perturbed by the minute. All her attention was now upon him, as she held him by the arm and tried to reach him with her eyes and mind, but he seemed not to be present in any way other than purely physical. 'Alejandro?' she asked, touching him tentatively. Still, no response.
Bonng!
'Frank!' Alice whispered to Orez. At last, he turned his gaze to her and taking both her hands in his, pulled her to him hard and shuddered.
Bonng!
'Nex-us...'Morgana pondered, disinterested. 'No, it means nothing to me whatsoever.'
Bonng!
'Surely, surely you know something!' Emmeline was nearly desperate now. 'You have traveled all this way, all this time...'
Bonng!
'Time...'Morgana closed her eyes then. 'What do you know of time, ma petit?' She opened them and gazed at Emmeline with overly-bright yet world-weary eyes. This was a woman who had seen perhaps, altogether too much. 'What do you know, of living beyond your time? To know that you have outlived...'
Bonng!
'...that you have lived beyond your love...' Morgana was not regarding Jack however. She stared seemingly at nothing, off into the distance.
Bonng!
'It is nearly...time.' pronounced Yeats, taking Aleisters' hand in his.'Quickly, everyone! Join hands!' Yeats also grabbed Jacks' hand who in turn took Morganas'. Rolling her eyes, she allowed this, and Emmeline to take her other hand, with the Captains' in her other; he in turn, reached out for Alice , who took Alejandros' hand in hers and completed the circle, back round to Yeats.
Bonnnnnngggg! The last bell tolled the hour of midnight and the new year rang out freely to a wild chorus of cheering and yells, whistles and horns all throughout the City by the Bay...
The company gazed at one another expectantly.
But--
Nothing was happening.
Until--
*FLASH*
A bright light from out of nowhere burst into being before them all and suddenly there stood none other than--
'My Gods! John!' Morgana had at last been stirred to complete lucidity with the appearance of El Juan Flubber in person and looking altogether normal in a much better suit. Before anyone could react, however, he produced then a strange smallish oval-shaped object and, taking Emmelines' hand, placed it upon the curious thing.
'Happy New Year,' he said to her, smiling.
Emmeline looked down at the seemingly innocuous pearlescent ovoid and felt a warmth and seemed to sense a sortof vibratory response within the object. Everyone stared as it suddenly began to hum, and slowly turned a pale pink which quickly became a smouldering red.
'Emmeline! Take care!' Jack looked anxious as the object thrummed and seemed to pulsate in time to a heartbeat. But it was a night for the weaving of spells, it seemed, and Em just stared at the unfolding drama in which now she seemed to be playing the leading role. At last, as the objects' hum grew louder and more intense, another *FLASH* of light struck, only with a brighter more blueish tinged white light than before.
The company remaining after this phenomenon, had suddenly increased by one.
'FRANK!' Alice choked out. 'Diosa...Frank!!'
There, before them all, encluding Alejandro Orez, stood Frank Nexus Stein, big as life, as they say.
Emmeline, meanwhile, still clutching the now sheer white artefact, had fainted solid into a heap on the floor.
. . . . .
. . . .
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