missrelena

The days flew by in a blur. Between the holiday preparations and various evening engagements, there was hardly a moment to catch one's breath, let alone become pensive over a looming doom. It was difficult not to catch the festive spirit, particularly after Eclair's happy announcement. She was all aglow, not letting any gloom hang over the idea of her future happiness. Even her fainting spells seemed to lessen in duration if not frequency. Before Geni could believe it, the Queen's Ball was to be the next day. Christmas Eve was nigh, bringing Father Christmas, Midnight Mass . . . and Jack. The gowns were finished, the details prepared, and all was ready -- at least Geni hoped it to be so. One could never really be ready for an encounter with Death taken form. * * * * * * * OOC: Just a bit of filler to move the story forward. Where did everyone go? (:animecry: sniff)

The carriage ride home for Lord David, Geni and Dante went smoothly. Warm blankets were tucked up on their laps, and a quiet comfortableness filled the air. Geni was again snoozing, her head on Dante's shoulder. Lord David leaned forward toward the young man and in a hushed voice he asked, "So, despite the 'rules', did you have a nice time tonight?" Dante raised an eyebrow. "So you heard about them, did you? To be honest, yes, we did. But I really don't think I needed to have all those restrictions forced on me. I'm not a complete idiot, you know." "I am quite aware of your intelligence. Now, I have to ask you another question." David took another breath, then whispered, "What are your intentions toward my daughter?" Dante was taken aback. "Honorable, sir. They're very honorable." "Then I have a challenge to you." Lord David's quite voice grew intense. "Prove it." With that, David leaned back and effectively ended the conversation. Dante didn't know what to say after that, anyway. **************** OOC: More filler, I'm sorry.

Geni could tell that Dante wasn't comfortable in the crowd of people that had streamed into Eclair's "modest" ballroom. For something that had begun as a simple dinner party for close friends, this soiree had become almost too much for the walls of their hostess's home to hold. Being bumped and jostled in the hallways was bad enough, but the mental thought commotion was even louder in Geni's skull then the audible chattering was to her ears. Geni really couldn't complain, though. Eclair had gone to great lengths to bring everyone together for a happy holiday celebration. Holly, evergreens, and ivy festooned the walls and cinnamon from the abundant wassail filled the air with a cozy fragrance. The small orchestra was playing a mix of carols and popular new dance tunes for the younger set to expend some energy to. Everyone, even their thoughts, seemed bright and cheerful. . . except Dante. Geni leaned to his ear so he could hear her speak. "What's troubling you?" [I]The Black Hole of Calcutta didn't hold so many people as this.[/I] he complained mind to mind. [I]If you're feeling closed in or stuffy, we can move to somewhere with more fresh air.[/I] she offered. [I]No we can't. That's part of my problem. Ariana pulled me aside a while ago while you were dancing -- of sorts -- with Rufus.[/I] [I]That was quite an adventure. I must say, for needing a cane, he waltzes quite well.[/I] At the time, being asked by Rufus to dance had been a surprise. She had enjoyed his blatant attempts at melodramatic gallantry, but now she began to feel that their might have been some ulterior motives behind the lord's actions. [I]So what did Ariana say?[/I] [I]She warned me to be on my best behavior. No random walks alone with you, not even onto the veranda for fresh air. No holding your hand if we weren't dancing, and no . . . as she put it "jealous tom cat hissing and yowling" if your time should happen to be taken up by another gentleman. I have never hissed like a cat in my life![/I] Dante was indignant. Geni was hard-pressed not to giggle out loud at the scowl on his face, but she managed to keep her composure -- barely. [I]Well, now that I think of it, Ariana is right. We're trying to convince society at large that my reputation is as pure as new fallen snow, and not as trashy as some of the rumors would have people believe. We can't set one foot out of place if we want to keep our invitations to the Queen's Ball valid.[/I] [I]That's another point. I still say we received that invitation all too easily. I'm suspicious of it all.[/I] Dante didn't want Geni to agree with Ariana. He hated feeling restricted -- especially where his private life was concerned. Since he had been 'warned,' he had been in a foul mood. [I]We've all been over that from every angle possible. There is no way anyone could have premeditated out meeting Mrs. Islands at that dress shop, or the way she took a sweet liking to me. None of us, not even you, could find a way for Jack to have manipulated that outcome.[/I] [I]I still don't like it. And I don't think Ariana and Eclair have the right. . . [/I] [I]Dearest, they have every right. Now dance with me.[/I] She held her hand out imperiously. [I]Now? Why?[/I] [I]Because I want you to hold me, and I need a legitimate reason for you to do it.[/I] Dante sighed and shook his head, but took Geni's hand and led her onto the floor without comment. * * * * * * * * Eclair managed to make her way through the crowds to Ariana and Rufus, a task she had been trying to accomplish for nearly an hour. Her friends were holding hands and watching the festivities from two chairs on the sidelines. She sat next to them and cooled her face with a delicate lace fan. "So, how are you enjoying yourselves?" She asked them. "There is quite a lot of hustle and bustle, but we're having a good time, nonetheless." Rufus answered, a twinkle in his eyes as he glanced at his wife. "I even managed to dance once or twice." "Twice." Eclair confirmed. "Once with Ariana and once with Geni. I wager Dante didn't appreciate that too much." "He lived with it." Ariana smirked. "Did you pass along our message to him?" Eclair asked her friends. "Yes, I did. Rufus played decoy for Geni while we talked." Ariana nodded. "So that's why you asked her to dance! I had wondered. I was even beginning to feel a touch jealous that you hadn't asked me yet, but now all is forgiven." Eclair teased the lord. "So, how did our dark one take the message?" "He lived with it." The three chuckled, then watched as the two of whom they spoke joined in with the dance. They looked so sweet together, but when Dante noticed them in their chairs, his expression was far from merry and bright. They heard Geni laugh with delight when she saw what he was scowling at. The young lady shook her head at her beau with a smile on her lips. Then they swirled back into crowd of dancers. "Looks as if Dante will have a good time, whether he wants to or not." Rufus chuckled. "Now, if I'm not mistaken, it seems that Sir Nathan is seeking you, Elcair." * * * * * * * * The evening had gone splendidly. No rukus or riot had spoiled the party. No insane killers rushing at any of the guests. And Dante had managed to mind his P's and Q's the entire night. [I]Wonders will never cease.[/I] Eclair thought. Her staff was busily cleaning up after the guests. They had handily avoided any major disasters despite the crush of people. Darian was to be congratulated, and the entire house staff deserved a big Christmas bonus for all their cheerful help. The only guests left were of the group. Nathan and Sir David, Ariana and Rufus, Geni and Dante. David and Rufus were conversing over the last few weeks of quiet from their adversary while Ariana and Nathan listened in. Dante and Geni sat in a corner, her head tiredly resting on his shoulder. "They really are quite sweet." Eclair smiled as she joined the other lords and lady. "The severed ears?" Sir David asked, appalled. She had obviously made her comment at an odd moment in the conversation. "No, your daughter and Dante." Eclair laughed in a hushed voice. Covertly the group tuned and gazed at the two dozing in the chair. "He put up with all our strictures remarkably well, I think." Ariana agreed. "I think a large portion of that had to do with Geni." Nathan grinned. "Still, I think we should give him some recompense for good behavior." Eclair murmured. Using her powers, she plucked a small bough of mistletoe from a nearby wreath with her mind and held it suspended above Geni's head. [I]Dante, look above you. [/I] Ariana prompted softly in his thoughts. Rousing from his doze, he followed the suggestion. Spying the sprig, he glanced over his shoulder at the others and graced them with a half-smile before tuning back to Geni and waking her with a gentle kiss. "Now if only the ball next week can end as happily." Rufus mused, echoing everyone else's thoughts. _______________________________________ OOC: Sorry it's been so long since I posted! I hope this one helps make up for it. Now all we need know is how each character prepares for the final confrontation and we're off!

A few days later, Eclair burst into Geni's parlor without waiting to be announced or any other propriatary nonsense. Geni had been reading an Austen novel while Dante and her father were growling over the less-than-useful newspaper when they looked up to see Eclair enter all in a rush and wearing a huge smile. The men leaped to their feet in her presence, tearing the paper in half in the process. "Big blessings come in strange packages." the lady announced happily. "Whatever do you mean?" Geni asked as she crossed the room to her friend and motioned to Eclair to seat herself wherever she desired. Eclair flounced through the room to an empty chair, waving an expensive looking sheet of embossed velum in the air."I'm saying, our problem has been solved through entirely unexpected means." "Oh, that clears up everything." Dante smirked. "Now we understand you perfectly." "You bully." Eclair smirked back. She was in far too good a mood to let Dante's slight sarcasm cast any clouds on her sunny day. "Geni, did you know that Mrs. Islands younger sister is a lady-in-waiting to the queen?" "Um, no. I did not. But what has that got to do with our problems?" Geni looked as befuddled as the men in the room felt. "Well, the gossip mill worked to our advantage this time around. Mrs. Islands spoke of our meeting in the dress-shop to her sister, and appearantly she really went over-the-top praising our virtues and fortitude in moving onward despite malicious rumors. The sister then told everyone in her aquaintance about our wonderous perseverance and bravery in the face of such snubbing." "There must not have been much to talk about in society lately if that is big news." Lord David grinned to Dante. The young lord smiled and rolled his eyes in agreement. "Phooey on both you men." Eclair gave them a dismissive wave and then continued with her story. "Anyway, being a lady-in-waiting, and knowing how our queen enjoys being kept up-to-date on society's latest gossip, the news of our exploits has reached Her Majesty's ear. This morning I received a personal invitation for myself, Lady Ariana, Geni and our escorts to the queen's ball from Queen Victoria herself! She said she is eager to be presented to myself, Ariana, and our protoge." "I am all astonishment, as Eliza Bennet would say." Geni spoke with jaw nearly agape. "That definitely solves that little dilemma." Lord David agreed. "Does Ariana and Rufus know?" Geni asked, still shocked. "They will as soon as I get to their home!" Eclair smiled. "An actual invitation from the queen." Dante was just as surprised as everyone else. "I told you getting a new dress for the party was a good idea!" Eclair crowed. "Now, I must be off. We'll all get together and speak about this as soon as we can!" With that she stood in a rush and blew out of the room as quickly as she had arrived. The silence in the room after her departure was like the quiet after a storm. The three that remained sat blinking at one another -- wondering what new madness might come through the door next.

"Well, that wasn't quite the eternity I was expecting." Dante glowered. "Dante, dear" Eclair breezed by him on her way to the carriage, "I have come to the inescapable conclusion that you only grouse at those you love. Its so nice to know you care." Ariana barely contained a smirk of amusement resulting from the aggrivated face Dante pulled at her friend's comment. Geni smiled indulgently at the banter, her heart lighter than it had been in days. It seemed that not all of proper society had desided to shun her. The fabrics and designs that had been chosen were sumptious and more than she had hoped for. She took Dante's hand as he helped her into the carriage to return home, and did not release it as he climbed in after. Ariana and Eclair had sat next to each other in a silent offer to let the two sweethearts sit together on the opposite side. Either that, or neither one wanted to sit next to Dante, but Geni didn't think they were that cruel in their intentions. "Now, does someone want to explain in terms a mere male can understand why we're having these festivities in the middle of everything else?" Dante questioned the two ladies he faced. His look was stern, but his grip on Geni's hand remaind gentle as he placed it on his lap and stroked the soft leather of her kid gloves with his free hand. "Catharsis is what we're looking for. Simply a catharsis." Ariana answered. "We've been under so much pressure of late that the health of the group as a whole is deteriorating. We need some leavity before we all snap." "But. . ." Dante tried to argue. "But nothing. We know when the next attack will be, and our having a few moments of fun isn't going to make that date come any faster or slower." Eclair chided. "Although no one wants to dwell on this fact, some or all of us might not live through this last encounter. . . so we might as well enjoy what little time might be left to us. . . left to each other." She got a distant look in her eyes, then turned to watch the streets of London roll by.

Geni made her way to the front door of her home and bid Eclair and Nathan farewell. She had told her friend to feel better and that if she needed anything at all to send a message at any time of day or night. She watched the carriage pull away with a heavy heart. Eclair seemed to be getting worse instead of better as time went on. As soon as the carriage was no longer visible, Dante turned Geni to face him. "Should you be out of bed? We've had more than enough collapsing for one day." he mumbled. "Oh, I don't know about that." Ariana jibed him, "Maybe I should swoon and fit in with the fashion." "Please don't, dearest." Rufus said with a smile. "Catching you while holding onto my cane for balance might be more than I'm capable of." "Well, since you put it that way." Ariana touched Rufus's face in a small caress. "Back to the point." Dante grumbled. "Shouldn't Geni be resting, too?" "But I can't!" Geni protested. "We still haven't any idea on how to be invited to the Queen's ball!" "Don't worry your head over that today." Ariana soothed. "I have a few ideas, but I need to mull them over a bit more before I share them with the group. Just rest today and we'll gather again tomorrow. Rufus and I will be off now, to insure you no longer feel obligated to play hostess, Geni." "But. . ." Geni tried. "Just rest and we'll see you tomorrow." Lord Rufus interrupted. Geni didn't even bother looking to Dante for support. Getting her to lay back down had been his idea to begin with. She was feeling very ganged up on. "Well if that's what you all want, I suppose I shall see you then." With that Geni gave them both a farewell hug and then made her way back up the stairs. "Take care of her, Dante." Ariana told the young lord. "She's more fragile inside than she will ever let you know. She had a rough past life, and the scars of that are starting to show in her now." "Don't worry." Dante responded. "I shall."

When Dante stepped out of the room, Geni sat back into her pillows and softly closed her eyes. She began to mull over all the memories that she and others had experienced lately, trying to piece them together into some semblance of a whole. . . Who had they all been, really? And who were they now? Were the five of them truly reborn into this era with completely new personalities or were they now an amalgam of future and past experiences. Geni was positive she would [I]never[/I] walk into an open public hallway in the state of undress that she had been in during her last memory, but the Jeni of that time had seemed perfectly at ease -- even amused at Keitaro's discomfort. Where did [I]Jeni[/I] end and [I]Genieve[/I] begin? What reason would the person behind the Ripper Program have in creating 'Jack' and killing seven people? And why the seven that were chosen? Did they have any connection at all with each other? And who could the last target be? If only she could remember more! And all those questions led to even more. . . what about her father and Lord Rufus? Were they also included in their grand scheme when their future selves planned when they would come back? Were the two Victorian men [I]supposed[/I] to be involved in all this, or just included because of happenstance? And what about Eclair? Why did she continue to have 'episodes'? Why were they happening more and more frequently as time goes by? And what were they all supposed to do once 'Jack' was no longer an issue? Geni knew that there would be no returning to the future. Even if were possible, and she remembered that it was not, would she? Now that the era she currently knew so well was ingrained into her very being, would she be able to handle the stark world from her memories? But without that option, what [I]would[/I] she, Dante, Ariana, Eclair and Nathan do when it was all over. . . arrogantly assuming they survived 'Jack' and his horrid plans? So many question, and so few answers. __________________________________________________ OOC: More filler, but Natchan promised me that she would have something big posted as soon as her life gets a bit less hectic. (I hope it's soon!)

Dante and Geni watched as Ariana left her rooms. When the door softly closed behind the lady, Dante turned to Geni with a raised eyebrow and mischief in his grin. "Speak, girl. What made you smile so charmingly, but wasn't important enough to talk about?" "Your name, is all." She nonchalantly smirked. "What about my name? I didn't think it something to laugh about." Dante bristled. "No, dearest. Your name suits you perfectly. Here, let me show you." Geni reached out her hand and took Dante's in a light grip. She let her brief memory flow into his mind. He grinned broadly as it concluded, but something told Geni that it was not for the same reason that she had smiled. "Your charms are quite . . . charming." he got out, managing not to laugh. "Dante!" She was agast in an odd sort of way. As [I]Jeni[/I], she hadn't minded Keitaro looking at her with not much on, but as [I]Geni[/I], she was mortified at her brazenness. She wasn't sure what to think. But before she could come up with a witty set-down, she heard Ariana speak with a raised and worried voice. She tried to get out of bed to see about the commotion, but Dante pushed her back down onto her pillows. "I'll go see what is amiss. You stay put and I'll report back." He said sternly, all mocking gone from his voice. "But --" she tried. "No! You're in enough danger from psychopaths without you breaking your own neck in a tumble." With that, he hustled out the door. ______________________________________ OOC: Sorry for the filler, but Natchan says she has a big post coming soon!

Geni sat quietly as Eclair and Ariana chatted amiably. She knew there was more to what Dante was saying that he was admitting to the others, but the quote baffled her as well. Was he saying that he remembered more about Keitaro than he was willing to admit to the group? 'Tis a puzzlement! A small memory came to Geni and she wondered. . . * * * * * "Jen!" an all too familiar voice called. The groans from the other inhabitants of her dorm-like room held the promise of death to anyone who didn't shut him up. Didn't the idiot care that it was four a.m. and she had only gotten to sleep a few hours before. Jeni lugged herself out of bed and stumbled to the door, quickly slipping out of the room before anyone could hit her with a pillow for letting light in. "What?!" she grumbled in a murderous tone. Keitaro grinned at her sarcastically. He knew she wasn't a merry morining person, and he was enjoying her discomfort, even if she was crabby. "Helena posted the list of people for the 'special training mission.' You said you wanted to know as soon as it was up." "What!?" Jeni roared. "This early in the morning? I knew she could be evil, but come on!" "Whine all you like, but we're to report to her office in half an hour." he mocked. "Just great! It'll take me almost that long just to get there from here. Does she not want me to go or something?" Indignant, Jeni started down the hall toward the lifts that would take her to the floor of the complex that the offices were located. "Uh, Jen." Keitaro grabbed her elbow. "What now?" She was still grumpy. "Don't you want to get dressed first?" he asked with a hint of a blush. That's when she recalled she was only in her panties and bra. At least they were a cute set and not something old and ratty. "If she wants me there in 30 minutes, she gets me in this!" Her crabbines had turned into defiance. Jeni turned once more to the lifts, but Keitaro stopped her again. "I'll take you the fast way if you promise to put some clothes on." His cheeks were slightly redder. She grinned evilly at him, payback for his enjoyment of getting her up so early. "Well --- not having to walk would be worth it. I guess I can find something to throw on." Snickering, she slipped back into her room. She let him cool his heels outside her door for ten minutes before she reappeared, dressed in a coverall and hair properly braided. "Let's go." she said as she grabbed his hand. Keitaro nodded and jumped them to Helena's office. For politeness's sake, he put them just outside the door instead of just appearing right inside. "Oh!" Jeni remembered. "You didn't tell me who else was on the list." "Well, there's Helena, and you, and me, and. . ." "What!?!" Jeni cut him off. "I told you I applied, didn't I?" He was stunned at her violent reaction. Gaining control of herself, she muttered something about forgetting the fact. They knocked on the office door, then Jeni let herself in before anyone could answer. "Hello Jeni. I heard you coming. Glad you two could make it. You're the last ones to report in." Helena chimed at them, far to chipper for the early hour. "Well, we're here. What else do we need to do?" Jeni grumbled. "Just know that the 'training mission' will get underway in four days, and you need to tell me in the next five minutes what name you want to be known by in the Victorian era. We have to program that in, among billions of other things." Helena was not at all daunted by Jeni's surliness. "Genieve." was Jeni's immediate reply. "Isn't that just old English for Jeni?" Helena asked. "So?" Jeni wasn't in the mood. "Real creative, I must say." Helena snickered back. "How about you, Keitaro? Know what name you want? Your current one isn't exactly European." "Uh -- I hadn't really thought about a name." he answered. "Why don't you call him 'Dante'?" Jeni ventured, "With as much as you've carried around that stupid book, I won't have any trouble remembering a name like that!"] "Dante'll work." He nodded. "Wait! I was just kidding!" Jeni spluttered. "Dante'll work."

I agree that Trinity Blood is definately more politically motivated than action and blood slinging. But that's what I like about it. The essance of the characters have room to expand and entangle each other when the entire plot does not hinge on what kind of new "Kamehameha Wave" attack each character develops to beat the bad guy. The fact that Abel tries to resolve things as a peace-loving priest [I]before[/I] he opens up a can as the "cruiznik" makes him so much more of a person, rather than just a blood-sucking, enemy-kicking vampire hunter. It keeps him from being a carbon copy of [I]Hellsing's[/I] Alucard, too. It's also refreshing to see people on both sides of the Terran/Methuseleh battle are shown to be able see the pros and cons of co-existance and peace, and they choose their courses based on them. There is no bad-guy just for the sake of the story needing one! I love this series, the beautiful animation, the plot, the characters, everything!

"How about you, Geni?" Eclair asked, adroitly chaging the focus of the conversation away from herself. "Any ideas why you decided to come to this year of our Lord?" "Well. . . I don't know for sure. My memories are still spotty in many places." she demurred. "I think it's because I either found the program, or I stumbled upon a way to stop it. Nothing terribly herioc. I think I just wanted to be useful. I had no family, and all my friends were coming with me. I vaguely remember not wanting someone to come -- but I'm not sure who, or why." "I don't think anyone came here for heroic recognition." Ariana added. "If we succeed, no one will ever know about the danger. If we fail, no one will remember how it was supposed to be. Either way you look at it, coming here was not the greatest way to become memorable." Eclair sighed. "Too right. If we live 'Happily ever after', I will be content. If we don't, we'll be dead, and I won't have any room to complain." "What a morbid thought." Geni said, agast. "Just being practical, dear." Eclair smiled softly. "Just being practical." ____________________________ [COLOR=Blue]OOC: My IC is being a mess, and I can't access this site often or for long right now. Sorry this post is so short, but I'm doing my best. Please feel free to post and I will get a longer one up and get us moving ASAP! Thanks![/COLOR]

Lord David burst upon the dining room in a rush. "I'm terribly sorry over my tardiness!" he apologized. "I went to White's to thank Dr. Lancaster once again, and I was drawn into a rather morbid discussion." He joined them at the table, taking the seat at it's head that had been left vacant for him. "I'm all curiosity. What could possibly be discussed at Whites that could contain any valid interest?" Rufus asked, only half kidding. "The name of our aggressor is 'Jack,' am I correct?" He asked the group. "Yes, Father." Geni answered, wondering where he was taking this. "Have any of you been keeping up with the newspapers of late?" David queried. The six looked at each other, then back at their host. "Not really." Ariana answered for them all. "Why?" "Well, I think you should look at The Times headline for today." David pulled the paper in question from inside his jacket and spread it out on the dining table while Geni rearranged dishes so it would fit. In broad black letters the top of the sheet read: [B]Jack the Ripper Strikes Twice![/B] "Apparently, every time you have an 'event' with your Mr. Jack, he kills someone in Whitechapel. As best as I could, I traced down every date you actually saw Jack. Each time, a murder occured not long after you stopped him. Two deaths that happened last night were both claimed by the notorious Ripper in a package sent to the papers this morning." Nathan rose from his chair in alarm. "He sent a package to the newspapers today?" "Yes." David replied. "In fact, the package also included an. . ." he glanced at the ladies present in the room, "an appendage taken from a human form." "An ear in salt?" Dante said, more a dark statement than a question. "Quite, but they know it's from one of the two -- but how did you know?" Geni's stomach went queasy as everyone in the room began broadcasting their thoughts loudly as all the minds raced with the sudden revelations and implications. She tried to thicken her mental shields, but to no avail. It was like they weren't even there. "Geni recieved a similar gift this morning." Dante informed her father. "What!?" Lord David was outraged. As the rest of the group buzzed in their eagerness to explain the shocks of the morning, Geni's face paled. Her head began to pound, and bile rose to the back of her throat. Too much was pressing in on her, too many thoughts and emotions. It was as if her mind was no longer her own. Distantly she heard Nathan muse out loud, "I always wondered if there was a connection with our Jack and the Ripper." The Ripper. . . * * * * * Jeni sat before a read-out screen, her eyes watering from exhaustion. [I]I know it's hiding here, somewhere. I just know it is![/I] she thought to herself as she searched yet another file display. "Jen, your shift ended seven hours ago." Keitaro tapped her on the shoulder, scaring her out of her deep consentration and recieving a small yelp of surprise as her jumped in her seat and turned to face him. "But this is important! I know it is! I have to track down that glitch." She was near to tears with how tired she felt. "Why?" He asked a simple question, but she just didn't have a simple answer. "Because this system is supposed to be flawless. Because I hate it when people hide things from everyone. Because I can feel that this has a dark undercurrent connected with it. And because no one else cares and thinks I'm nuts because I do!" "Then move your chair over." he said softly. "What?" "Move your butt and the thing it's resting on over so I can sit down, too. Then after you explain what it is, exactly, that I'm supposed to be looking for, you can doze while I search. If I find anything or have a question, I'll wake you." He stared down at her till her brain connected with her body and she skootched to the right. Keitaro hooked an empty chair with his foot and pulled it beneath him as he sat at the keyboard. "Why would you do this?" Jeni couldn't help but ask. "Because you're nuts. What am I looking for?" After a brief explaination, Jeni set her arms on the desktop and rested her head on them. She closed her eyes and listened to the sound of Keitaro's fingers tapping on the keys. It didn't take long for her to drift off to sleep. "Jen. Hey, Jen." Jeni felt her shoulders being shaken. [I]He's the only one who calls me that.[/I] she thought randomly. She tried to bat his hands away. "I'm still sleepy." she muttered. "I said I'd wake you if I found anything or had a question." Keitaro persisted in shaking her, despite her weak attemps at getting him to leave her alone. Muzzily she lifted her head and tried to neaten the whisps of hair that had come loose from her braid. "How long was I asleep?" she asked as she tried to engage her brain. "Only three or four hours." "Three or four?! I thought you were just going to let me doze!" she was agast at all the time she had wasted sleeping. "You skipped right over doze and went straight to out cold. Besides, I didn't need to ask or tell you anything till now, so why wake you?" Keitaro's pragmaticism took all the affronted bluster out of her sails. "So what did you want to tell me?" she asked, properly abashed. "Ask you, actually. What does the word 'Ripper' have to do with 1888? I've found a few referances to a 'Ripper Program' that I don't recognize, but I'm hazy on whether or not there is a connection." Keitaro scrolled down a few screens till he found the file he was looking for and pointed it out to her. Jeni clicked open the said file and scanned over the contents. Her eyes widened, and she went over it again slowly in order to take in all the details. "God." she whispered. "What? Is it the end of the world?" Keitaro joked. "Yes." Jeni breathed. "Someone here is Jack the Ripper, and they want to end civilization as we have come to know it. God, oh God." She looked him in the eyes. "People are going to die. Lots of people if we don't do something." * * * * * * Geni woke up back in her bedroom. Eclair and Ariana sitting in chairs nearby were the only indication that the entire episode of that morning hadn't been a twisted dream. She tried to sit up, but then her head began to pound and the room to spin. Slowly she lowered herself back down to her pillows and groaned softly. "Gently now." Ariana whispered. "Danted said that you were starting to have troubles, then you went into a flashback. After that you blacked out and we brought you up here." Eclair explained. "You mean Dante carried her up here." Ariana clairfied. "He was like a mother hen. We chased him out not long ago. He was getting on Eclair's nerves, so we sent him to get you some warm milk." "If he manages not to burn himself, I'll be impressed." Eclair snickered. "Be nice." Ariana chided with a grin. "I saw --" Geni began. "Yes, Dante told us." Ariana interrupted. "You remember finding something called the Ripper Program, and that people were going to die because of it. Do you think it is the whole reason why we are all here now?" "I'm sure of it." Geni had no questions on the matter. "But what does it do, and how could we possibly think anything we could do would matter?" Eclair asked. "I don't know. I still don't remember." Geni sighed. "Well, while Dante was holding your hand and being grumpy to us all, he became non-reponsive for a few minutes. He might have just been pouting or concentrating on only you, but I wonder if he might have had a memory triggered by your own." Ariana surmised. "I guess we'll just have to wait as see if he'll tell us anything." "We'll be waiting quite a while, if Dante stays true to form." Eclair grumbled with good humor. "Be nice." The other two ladies chimed in unison. ________________________________________ OOC: Monster post strikes again! Sorry it took me so long to post, I've been recovering from sewing cosplay costumes and a convention. I hope this gives people a direction (besides Otori_guy's observation that we are not yet invited to the ball.) I'd like to have a few more memories crop up that develop the reasons why each character desided to come to the Victorian era, among any other cool things you can think of! Yay, back at the top!

After the soup, a fine cut of lamb was served to the luncheon party along with a light wine. Everyone was quiet through the meal, whether it was from the enjoyment of the fine food or the matter of too much to think about, Geni really didn't want to know. [I]"Why the Lady of Shalot?"[/I] Geni asked Ariana mind to mind. She guessed that if anyone knew the referance, Ariana would. [I]"What is Jack trying to infer?"[/I] Ariana sighed inwardly. [I]"According to some Arthurian legends and Tennison's poem, the Lady of Shalot was madly in love with Sir Lancelot, but he ignored or rejected her feelings in favor of Queen Guenivere."[/I] Ariana watched as Geni's eyes widened, but the girl managed not to flinch. [I]"Pay it no mind, dear. It's as we said before, Jack is making a sick joke. I refuse to let that type of humor get the best of us."[/I] [I]"You're right. And I have faith in Dante. I have to."[/I] Geni responded, trying to put the horrid prediction behind her. [I]"That's the right stance to take. If we trust and believe in each other, we shall win out in the end. As my Rufus says, 'Claim victory in your heart and the Universe will follow.'"[/I] Ariana smiled and went back to her meal. Geni shook her shoulders to help settle herself mentally. She wouldn't give up, she wouldn't lose faith, and she would do her best to be there for the others. She looked across the table at Dante. [I]"I love you."[/I] she sent to him. He glanced up at her, startled. [I]"I love you, too. What brought that on?" [/I] he asked. [I]"I just needed to tell you, that's all."[/I] Geni blushed slightly. "Don't you just love it when you can tell half the table is speaking to one another, but you still get to enjoy the peaceful silence." Rufus joked, cutting across the quiet. "Oh! I am so terribly sorry." Geni apologized for her rudeness. Rufus laughed and started the rest of the table chuckling. "Geni, I think you would apologize if I claimed I was upset for not being able to breathe at the bottom of the ocean. Don't be sorry, just laugh at the joke." Geni couldn't help but smile and enjoy the easing of the tension. "You're right, I am sorry you can't breathe on the ocean's floor. I'll get right on that." she joked back. Suddenly the meal seemed to taste much better as Geni finally relaxed enough to enjoy it.

"Ariana is right. Jack would want us at each other's throats. We're the only one's who stand between him and whatever his murderous objective is." Geni said, pulling herself away from Dante's shoulder. "This is not the time to be arguing." Nathan found a sheet of paper in the parlor's writing desk, folded it into an envelope, then slid the severed ear into the makeshift container. Folding it shut, Nathan took off his coat and hid the envelope in it's folds, keeping it from immeditate view. Next he rang for an attending servant. James entered the room after only a second's pause. "Is everything alright, Sir?" the butler asked Nathan. "I thought I heard a scream or raised voices." "Yes, we are all well." the officer answered. "Lady Geni received a strange package full of salt. I'm afraid she has spilled the contents on the floor." "Salt? That's very strange." James mused. "Yes, it is. Do you happen to know who accepted the package at the door?" Nathan questioned in full police mode. "I did. The lad who delivered it was in Almack's uniform. He was the same lad who had delivered the ball invitations in the past, so I thought nothing more about it." James answered without hesitation. "Thank you. That is what I wanted to know." Nathan replied. "Of course, Sir." James said with a nod of his head. "Now, luncheon will be served shortly, so if you lords and ladies would be willing to retire to the dining room, I will have this spill cleaned." "That sounds like an agreable solution." Dante said. "We're out of the way of those who are cleaning up and we get to dine at the same time." The young lord stood and helped Geni to her feet. The others followed suit. This time, however, Lord Rufus was not the person keeping the group to a halting pace. Geni was a bit unsteady on her feet after her scare, and was grateful for the slowness of their progression as she clung to Dante's arm.

[COLOR=RoyalBlue]OOC: Guess it's time to be moving on. . .[/COLOR] _______________________________________________________ Geni slept restlessly and was hardly awake when her maid announced that she had visitors downstairs. She was also informed that a package had arrived for her from Almack's early that morning. Doing her best to find cohearancy, she dressed as quickly as possible and headed down the stairs to the parlor where her friends waited. Geni noticed the small white parcel with her name and address neatly penned on the top. She snatched it off the hallway side table and took it into the room with her. Ariana, Rufus, Eclair, Nathan and Dante all turned at her entrance with Nathan and Dante rising from their seats and Rufus giving her a polite nod in lew of standing. "I am so terribly sorry. I had no idea of the time. Please excuse my tardiness." Geni begged the group. "No worries, dear." Ariana spoke in a soothing tone. "It was a late night full of excitements. No wonder you slept late." "Yes, no one here blames you." Eclair agreed. "Now, shall we get to the point of this meeting? Nathan, here, found a letter from Jack last night." "What?!" Dante shouted, interrupting her. "And you didn't tell any of us?!" "I thought it would be better if we could read it and confer in private, so there would be no worry of being overheard by the wrong parties." she refuted. "I agree with your thinking." Rufus nodded his head. "Murderers and rumormongers abound at that club, it seems." Nathan took the envelope from his jacket pocket and, after glancing at each person, he cracked the wax seal. [COLOR=Red]Well Loves, Did you enjoy my double suprise? I thought I'd add a little spice to the usual dull routine. I figured we started at Almack's -- our little friendship that is -- so why not have a anniversary treat. But again, you all seem to disagree with my way of thinking. That truely is sad, I must admit. I was hoping that after a season of convincing, you might warm up to me. But alas, you have prooved me wrong again. Well I do hope that you enjoy the rest of your evening, because I promise you... the next letter you recieve from me will not be as delightful. Sincerely as always, your beloved friend Jack P.S. One last clue for one last crime: T'was the night before Christmas and all through the house, every creature was stirring, especially the mouse. Ladies stockings were worn to the party with care in hopes that Jack, my dears, soon would be there. . .[/COLOR] "I think that man delights in obscurity." Eclair complained. "Of course he does." Dante growled. "He's a murdering maniac with a pension for dramatics. Do you think he's going to spell his every move out for you." Geni could tell that Dante was not in the best of moods toward Eclair. Nathan jumped into the conversation, hoping to turn minds to somthing more productive than bickering. "Well the clue is obvoiusly about the queen's Christmas Ball. Jack certainly enjoys dancing and public spectical, it seems." "Now all we need are invitations." Ariana sighed. "Those are harder to get than a pass to Almack's." "I'm sure a way will present itself." Rufus said, laying his hand over his wife's. "If there wasn't a possibility of our attending, Jack wouldn't have set his attack at such a place." "True." She smiled at him and squeezed his hand in return. Silence fell upon the party as each person was lost in their own thoughts. Finally, Eclair broke the stillness. "Geni, dear, what have you got in your box?" she asked. "Oh! I had completely forgotten I was holding it. My maid said it was delivered from Almack's. Pehaps I dropped something there. It's terribly heavy for such a small parcel." Geni gingerly untied the string and opened the package. On top was a piece of vellum, folded in half. Geni lifted the thin sheet up, but before she could look at the letter, she spied what lay beneath. She let out a scream of horror, pushed the package off her lap, and turned sobbing into Dante's chest. Dante held her close, not knowing what had upset her so. Nathan moved to the floor at Geni's feet. Beneath a pile of scattered white table salt was a severed human ear, still bloody from it's removal. Eclair and Ariana also recoiled in shock and dismay, but they managed to keep their voices under control. Nathan removed the missive from Geni's shaking hand and read alloud: [COLOR=Red]To my dearest friends: The Lady Death and her consort Offical Calamity, The Lady Beauty and her disfigured Beast, and the Lady of Shalot waiting for her Lancelot to break her heart, Greatings Loves, Since I sent a gift to the newspapers, I simply had to send a similar one to my friends. Can't play favorites, you know. I hope you enjoyed my surprise. Take care of yourselves till we meet again, Jack[/COLOR] Stunned silence reigned supreme.